Starting from Palm Valley Campground, Namatjira, this walk takes you on a circuit in the palm groves around Palm Creek, exploring the arid land of Finke Gorge National Park along the way. Taking you to the centre of the Red Cabbage Palm groves, this track is a shorter version of the Mpulungkinya / Palm Valley Track. The said palm species is exclusive to the area. There are around 3000 fully-grown palms, and some of them are over 300 years old. Other flora in the area include cycads, spinifex and the occasional Ghost Gum. Offering panoramic views of the vast Palm Valley, the track was upgraded by the rangers for easier navigation. 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 Stuart Highway, 87, Flynn.
Turn on to Bradshaw Drive then drive for 2.3 km
Turn left onto Larapinta Drive, 6 and drive for another 124.1 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 Arankaia Circuit Walk.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Palm Valley Campground (about 80 m back from the start).
This campsite has showers.
BBQ (about 80 m back from the start).
There is a picnic table (about 75 m back from the start).
There is a shelter (about 70 m back from the start).
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 50 m continue straight, to head along Palm Valley Track.
After another 30 m pass the toilet (55 m on your left).
Continue straight, to head along Palm Valley Track.
After another 790 m cross the ford (about 45 m long)
After another 650 m cross the ford (about 45 m long)
After another 110 m cross the ford (about 55 m long)
After another 650 m turn right, to head along Palm Valley Track.
After another 20 m cross the ford (about 40 m long)
After another 30 m continue straight, 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" (7 m on your right).
After another 35 m pass the shelter (7 m on your right).
Then pass the sign (7 m on your right).
At the intersection of Arankaia Walk & Palm Valley Track continue straight, to head along Arankaia Walk (a walking track).
After another 1 km (at the intersection of Arankaia Walk & Mpulungkinya Track) turn left, to head along Arankaia Walk.
After another 7 m head up the surface|wood steps (about 5 m long)
After another 7 m head up the surface|wood steps (about 5 m long)
After another 10 m head up the surface|wood steps (about 5 m long)
After another 880 m (at the intersection of Mpulungkinya Track & Arankaia Walk) veer left, to head along Arankaia Walk.
After another 340 m (at the intersection of Palm Valley Track & Arankaia Walk) veer right, to head along Palm Valley Track (a vehicle track).
After another 155 m cross the ford (about 100 m long)
After another 950 m continue straight, to head along Palm Valley Track.
After another 30 m cross the ford (about 40 m long)
After another 20 m turn left, to head along Palm Valley Track.
After another 650 m cross the ford (about 55 m long)
After another 110 m cross the ford (about 45 m long)
After another 650 m cross the ford (about 45 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
Arankaia Circuit Walk
Grading
Class 2/6
Easy track
Length
10.9 km
Time
3 h to 5 h
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.
Shelter: There are 2 on route, on average they are 3.7 km apart with the largest gap of 6.6 km.
Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 3.7 km apart with the largest gap of 10.2 km.
Bushwalk
3 h to 5 h
Camp site: There is one -81 m back from the start.
Shelter: There are 2 on route, on average they are 3.7 km apart with the largest gap of 6.6 km.
Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 3.7 km apart with the largest gap of 10.2 km.
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BBQ (about 80 m back from the start).
There is a picnic table (about 75 m back from the start).
After another 105 m continue straight.
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" (7 m on your right).
After another 7 m head up the surface|wood steps (about 5 m long)
