Palm Valley & Finke River - The Red Centre's Hidden Gems

The Red Cente’s Finke Gorge National Park tempts adventurers with its tall wavering palms, historic police camp ruins, and spectacular landscapes that inspired the renowned watercolourist Albert Namatjira.

If you’re an avid hiker, a nature enthusiast in search of the rare cabbage palm, or keen on some serious four-wheel-driving, you will adore Finke Gorge National Park. Covering an impressive 46,000 hectares in Alice Springs, it is home to ancient landscapes, Aboriginal cultural sites, Palm Valley, and the Finke River; one of the oldest water courses in the world. Here is the ultimate guide to exploring Finke Gorge National Park and Palm Valley.

How to get to Finke Gorge National Park

It takes about two hours to drive between Alice Springs and Finke Gorge National Park, 138 kilometres west of Alice Springs. Turn south off Larapinta Drive just west of historic Hermannsburg (Ntaria), the birthplace of artist Albert Namatjira.

You will need a high clearance 4WD to access the last 16 kilometres of track, which follows the sandy bed of the Finke River. Allow plenty of time to cover the distance as the road is rough. Entry requires an NT Parks Pass .

a 4WD entering Finke Gorge National Park — A high clearance 4WD is required to access Finke Gorge National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia/Shaana McNaught)

Palm Valley

Within Finke Gorge National Park, the utterly unique Palm Valley is home to about 12,000 red cabbage palms (Livistona mariae). It is a botanical haven, starkly contrasting the desert scenery that characterises much of the Red Centre.

an aerial view of the Finke River — The many colours of Finke Gorge National Park on full display. (Image: Tourism NT/All About Adventure)

What to see and do in Palm Valley

If you are visiting Finke Gorge National Park, you’ll need your hiking shoes. Palm Valley is a walker’s paradise, with trails winding through the gorge, revealing rock pools, ancient plant species and panoramic views of the surrounding cliffs.

From the Palm Valley car park, you have the choice of two walks: the two-hour Mpulungkinya Walk, which takes in an oasis of palms and returns to the car park across the plateau, or a shorter one-hour trek, the Arankaia Walk, which is a loop walk that meanders through an area of lush palms.

a vehicle driving across Finke Gorge National Park — Palm Valley is a walker’s paradise. (Image: Tourism NT/SeanScott)

Nearby, at the Kalarranga car park, there are also two walking options: the family-friendly 45-minute Kalarranga Walk to the lookout and the two-hour Mpaara Walk, which meanders alongside the palm-fringed river before leading up the valley and over a saddle. The views from the top of the saddle are incredible: red rock formations for as far as the eye can see.

two people exploring Finke Gorge National Park — Hike the palm-fringed river of Finke Gorge National Park. (Image: Tourism NT/Bronte Stephens)

Day tours to Palm Valley

From Alice Springs, both AAT Kings and Emu Run offer day tours to Palm Valley. This includes a visit to the Aboriginal community of Hermannsburg, in the traditional lands of the Western Arrarnta people.

A couple on a tour with Finke River Cultural Tour — Visit the traditional lands of the Western Arrarnta people and join a Finke River Cultural Tour. (Image: Tourism NT / Charlie Bliss)

Where to stay in Finke Gorge National Park

For those looking to camp in the park, you have two options: Palm Valley Campground and Boggy Hole Campground. Make sure you book with NT Parks before you arrive.

an ATV navigating the dirt road towards Finke Gorge National Park — Go off-grid at Finke Gorge National Park. (Image: Tourism NT/Flow Mountain Bike)

The large Palm Valley Campground has plenty of shady sites for tents, camper trailers, and off-road caravans. Amenities are impressive for such a remote site: solar-powered hot showers, toilets, gas barbeques and designated firepits (remember to collect firewood before entering the park). Volunteer campground hosts are on site over the peak season (May to September).

You won’t find any facilities at the utterly remote campsite at Boggy Hole, a deep waterhole fed by a natural spring, which is a great spot for a cool dip. The track to Boggy Hole starts at the park’s main entrance and is about 20km long. It takes you through rocky gorges and red dunes, serving up stunning views of the landscape. Once you’ve arrived at the bush camp, a flat area next to the river, you can set up camp and kick back while watching the resident osprey fly above. Don’t forget to check out the nearby police station ruins – it’s off the beaten track but worth the effort.

Opening Hours

Finke Gorge National Park is open year-round, except when the Finke River is in flood. The cooler months (April to September) are the most pleasant time of the year to visit.

Spend a few days visiting the real-life Central Australian locations that inspired the new film everyone is talking about, and discover why Alice Springs is such an important part of Australian culture.

In the credits of the new Australian film Kangaroo , the first name under ‘cast’ should read ‘The Northern Territory ’. Not only is Alice Springs (and the surrounding landscape) integral to the movie itself, but the spiritual heart of Australia and its local Indigenous owners also inform the look and feel of every frame, explains Producer Trisha Morton-Thomas of Brindle Films, who also plays Charlie’s grandmother Gwennie.

“By setting Kangaroo in Alice Springs (Mparntwe), the film embraces how visible Aboriginal people are here, and the living Aboriginal culture that is woven through this community,” she explains.

still from kangarro film — See *Kangaroo*, then visit the real-life filming locations.

And while shooting in such a sacred part of the Northern Territory required extra planning, it was something the cast and crew were highly invested in.

“There are incredibly significant sacred sites and places of deep cultural stories in the area, that at times are very gender-specific, which we’ve kept out of the production,” she explains. “Even if overhead drone footage captures a sacred site that isn’t meant to be seen by other people outside of that clan, we’ve made sure to omit it from the film.”

If Kangaroo piqued your interest in a Central Australian holiday, we don’t blame you. Read on to discover eight places featured in the movie that you can visit in real life – and get planning. Don’t forget to pack sunscreen and a hat.

1. Alice Springs/ Mparntwe

artist at Many Hands Art Centre — Visit the galleries of Alice Springs, like Many Hands Art Centre. (Image: Tourism NT/ Helen Orr/ Many Hands Art Centre)

The red and dusty streets of the film’s fictional town of Silvergum were filmed on the outskirts of Alice Springs. And, while the art gallery featured in the film is fictional, Alice Springs is a hub of creativity. See the work of local artists at the Araluen Art Centre , Yubu Napa Art Gallery , Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) Art Centre and the famous Tjanpi Desert Weavers .

2. The Kangaroo Sanctuary & Kangaroo Rescue Centre

The Kangaroo Sanctuary Alice Springs, the inspiration for the Kangaroo move — Visit the movie’s inspiration at Kangaroo Sanctuary. (Image: Tourism NT/ Kangaroo Sanctuary)

Kangaroo was inspired by the journey of Chris ‘Brolga’ Barns, who founded the now world-renowned Kangaroo Sanctuary based in Alice Springs. For lead actor, Aussie Ryan Corr, the animals were central to the movie, alongside the landscapes.

“The animals in this story were a real calling point for me,” he explains. “What this story tries to tell us about the connection between humans and animals is beautiful.”

To gain a real insight into the fauna and flora of the Red Centre, you can visit the Kangaroo Sanctuary on a sunset tour, where you might even get the chance to hold a baby kangaroo.

3. Ormiston Gorge

woman walking along the edge of Ormiston Gorge near alice springs — Take a dip in Ormiston Gorge. (Image: Tourism NT/ @domandjesso)

The film captures the raw beauty of the West MacDonnell Ranges, known in the Arrernte language as Tjoritja. This national park is rich in Indigenous culture and stark geological wonders.

Only a 15-minute drive from Alice Springs, Tjoritja offers visitors the chance to camp, hike and swim among ancient landscapes (most attractions are less than a three-hour drive away).

Ormiston Gorge , a cooling oasis in among the red desert sands, is one of the most popular destinations, no doubt because of the permanent swimming hole and towering red cliffs. From here, visitors can also embark on the beautiful Ormiston Pound Walk and the shorter – more accessible – Ghost Gum Walk. Bring your bathers – it’s safe for swimming.

4. Standley Chasm

woman walking through Standley Chasm near alice springs — Wander through Standley Chasm. (Image: Tourism NT)

The 1.2-kilometre walk to nearby Standley Chasm will be a highlight for any visitor as the imposing 40 metre-high chasm walls project strength and ancient wisdom.

Visit at midday to experience the path illumined by the midday sun. Not only will you fill your camera roll with vibrant red images of the gorge and its intoxicating shadows, but you can also camp nearby in a powered or unpowered site so you can watch the brilliance of the desert stars fill the night sky after dusk.

5. Simpsons Gap

three people walking on path through simpsons gap near alice springs — Walk the trails of Simpson’s Gap. (Image: Tourism NT/ Helen Orr)

Closer to Alice Springs, the photogenic Simpsons Gap is the perfect place to spot the endangered Black-footed Rock wallaby near the permanent watering hole. While swimming isn’t permitted, soaking up the sun and views certainly is.

Explore the area’s numerous walking trails, appreciate the soaring cliffs on either side of the ‘gap’ and pick out the shooting locations of Kangaroo in the area.

6. Ellery Creek Big Hole

aerial of Ellery Creek Big Hole near alice springs — Dive into Ellery Creek Big Hole. (Image: Tourism NT/ Tourism Australia)

When it comes to classic Northern Territory landscapes, you can’t go past Ellery Creek Big Hole/ Udepata : tall gum trees sidling up to a refreshing watering hole (fed by the West MacDonnell Ranges and surrounded by rugged red cliffs.

Swim in the cooling waters, hike the cliff tops, watch for birds and even stargaze as you camp here overnight. It’s locations like this that attracted the film’s director Kate Woods to the project.

“It humbles you to be in this environment: it’s so beautiful, so old and so vast,” she explains. “I was thrilled to get a chance to … shoot such a beautiful story in the incredible landscape of the Northern Territory.”

7. Larapinta Drive

aerial of Larapinta Drive into alice springs — Drive along Larapinta Drive. (Image: Tourism NT)

There is no better way to get a feel for how the characters arrived at the fictional Central Australian town of Silvergum than to travel along the iconic state road, Larapinta Drive.

Connecting Alice Springs to the mighty King’s Canyon in the west, via the historic community of Hermannsburg, this road takes in the West MacDonnell National Park, Alice Springs Desert Park and artist Albert Namatjira’s house, among other attractions. Take your time, bring a camera and prepare for numerous stops along the way.

8. Todd River

competitors in Henley on Todd Regatta, alice springs — Join in the fun of the quirky Henley on Todd Regatta. (Image: Tourism NT/ TImparja Creative)

Meandering through Alice Springs like a lazy Western Brown snake, the Todd River is a central part of Alice Springs culture. Known as an ‘intermittent river’, the Todd can go from a dry dusty riverbed to a flowing waterscape in less than 15 minutes after heavy rainfall.

When it’s dry, the famous Henley on Todd Regatta fills the sandy riverbed with handmade ‘boats’ carried by sailors. This is the world’s only dry river boating event, and it’s referenced in the ‘Silvergum Boat Race’ in the movie. Inspired by the real-life event, the characters built quirky “Flintstones-style boats” and competed in teams.

See Kangaroo in cinemas now, and start planning your NT getaway at northernterritory.com.

Palm Valley and Finke River – the Red Centre’s hidden gems