Starting from Palm Valley Campground, Namatjira, this circuit walk takes you into a gorge along Palm Creek, exploring the arid land of Finke River National Park along the way. Getting its name from the Red Cabbage Palms it’s home to, this part of the desert is unique in terms of flora. The said palms are only found here and some of them are more than 300 years old. There are also heaps of cycads and the occasional Ghost Gum along the track. The track is generally undulating and there are mattings placed by the rangers on the soft parts of the sand for better traction. The said rangers offer interactive events/activities from May to October which are a great way to socialize and learn more about the area. Keep in mind that there’s very little shade along the track. A 4WD vehicle with good clearance is required to get to the starting point. The road/track may be inaccessible after heavy rainfall, so check road conditions beforehand. You can use the commercial tours to come from Alice Springs if you don’t own a 4WD vehicle. The track can be started from the end of the 4WD road/track as well, shortening the loop. Let us begin by acknowledging the Western Arrernte people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Car (A 4WD vehicle with good clearance is required to get to the starting point. The road/track may be inaccessible after heavy rainfall, so check road conditions beforehand.)
Directions
From Telegraph Terrace, 87
Turn on to 6 then drive for 25 m
Continue onto Larapinta Drive, 6 and drive for another 850 m
At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Larapinta Drive, 6 and drive for another 880 m
At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Larapinta Drive, 6 and drive for another 124.8 km
Turn left onto Palm Valley Track and drive for another 12.7 km
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From Palm Valley Campground (12.60km south of Larapinta Drive), head back towards the 4WD road/track as you keep the creek bed to your right. Turn right and join the said road/track, then follow it as you move parallel to the creek bed (to your right). Pass by the day use area to your left and keep following the creek bed to continue along the Mpulungkinya / Palm Valley Track. Keep an eye out for blue arrow markers for navigation.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Palm Valley Campground (about 80 m back from the start).
This campsite has showers.
There is a toilet (about 60 m back from the start).
After another 105 m continue straight.
After another 95 m pass the sign (on your right).
After another 80 m turn right, to head along Palm Valley Track.
After another 140 m (at the intersection of Palm Valley Track & Palm Valley Ranger House) continue straight, to head along Palm Valley Track.
After another 65 m cross the ford (about 65 m long)
After another 105 m continue straight, to head along Palm Valley Track.
After another 80 m pass the toilet (55 m on your left).
After another 790 m cross the ford (about 45 m long)
After another 660 m cross the ford (about 30 m long)
After another 110 m cross the ford (about 55 m long)
After another 650 m continue straight, to head along Palm Valley Track.
After another 35 m cross the ford (about 40 m long)
After another 9 m veer left, to head along Palm Valley Track.
After another 950 m cross the ford (about 100 m long)
After another 145 m pass the "Palm Valley" (8 m on your right).
After another 40 m pass the sign (7 m on your right).
At the intersection of Arankaia Walk & Palm Valley Track veer left, to head along Arankaia Walk (a walking track).
After another 340 m (at the intersection of Arankaia Walk & Mpulungkinya Track) continue straight, to head along Mpulungkinya Track.
After another 1.3 km come to the viewpoint (8 m on your right).
At the intersection of Mpulungkinya Walk & Mpulungkinya Track turn left, to head along Mpulungkinya Track.
After another 1.9 km (at the intersection of Arankaia Walk & Mpulungkinya Track) continue straight, to head along Arankaia Walk.
After another 1 km (at the intersection of Arankaia Walk & Palm Valley Track) continue straight, to head along Palm Valley Track (a vehicle track).
After another 1.2 km veer right, to head along Palm Valley Track.
After another 9 m cross the ford (about 40 m long)
After another 35 m continue straight, to head along Palm Valley Track.
After another 680 m cross the ford (about 20 m long)
After another 120 m cross the ford (about 30 m long)
After another 670 m cross the ford (about 20 m long)
After another 790 m continue straight, to head along Palm Valley Track.
After another 30 m continue straight, to head along Palm Valley Track.
After another 50 m continue straight, to head along Palm Valley Track.
After another 105 m cross the ford (about 65 m long)
After another 65 m (at the intersection of Palm Valley Track & Palm Valley Ranger House) continue straight, to head along Palm Valley Track.
After another 140 m turn left.
After another 175 m continue straight.
After another 50 m come to the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Mpulungkinya / Palm Valley Track
Grading
Class 2/6
Easy track
Length
13.1 km
Time
3 h 30 min to 5 h 30 min
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (2/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)
Some facilities on route
Camp site: There is one -81 m back from the start.
Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 4.4 km apart with the largest gap of 12.4 km.
Bushwalk
3 h 30 min to 5 h 30 min
Camp site: There is one -81 m back from the start.
Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 4.4 km apart with the largest gap of 12.4 km.
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After another 95 m pass the sign (on your right).
After another 65 m cross the ford (about 65 m long)
After another 145 m pass the "Palm Valley" (8 m on your right).
After another 1.3 km come to the viewpoint (8 m on your right).
At the intersection of Mpulungkinya Walk & Mpulungkinya Track turn left, to head along Mpulungkinya Track.
