Explore the natural wonders beyond Alice Springs on a 4-wheel drive adventure into Finke Gorge National Park. Admire the Aboriginal art collection at Hermannsburg, see spectacular rock formations by the Finke River, and check out prehistoric relic plants in Palm Valley on this full-day tour.
Your 4-wheel driving adventure begins at the historic Aboriginal community of Hermannsburg. While you sip on a cup of tea, admire the art collection here, especially the watercolours of famous Aboriginal painter, Albert Namatjira—the Hermmannsburg School is an art movement known for western-style landscapes that celebrate the colours of the outback.
Next, travel down the banks of the Finke River—often called the oldest river in the world—into the aptly named Palm Valley, the only place in Australia where unique red cabbage palms survive thanks to spring-fed pools. Look out for the remarkable formations in the red sandstone, including the rugged cliffs and towers of a rocky amphitheatre. Keep your eyes peeled for native plant life amid the sands and pools, including fern-like cycads and relic plants that have persisted since prehistoric times.
Break for a tasty picnic lunch amid the primordial wilderness of Finke Gorge National Park. As you return to your hotel, watch the magical, shifting colours of the magnificent West MacDonnell Ranges in the afternoon light.