EXPERIENCES / KAKADU

Finke Gorge & Watarrka National Parks

Overview   -  DETAILS   -   ITINERARY   -   GALLERY   -   MAP

Overview

While Palm Valley and the Boggy Hole 4WD track are the best known parts of Finke Gorge National Park, they are far from all the park has to offer. Willis’s Walkabouts is the only tour operator who will take you off the tracks to places that you can only reach on foot in this park. 


Besides many day walks, we may do overnight walks above Palm Valley, Circular Valley and/or the Finke River. 


From the end of the Boggy Hole track, we drive to the Watarka/Kings Canyon National Park. We do the iconic rim walk, then the Giles Trail.


We hire a vehicle for this trip. The cost will be shared among the participants. 

RED CENTRE

September 5-18 2027

We begain at Palm Valley where we have a number of choices in the Palm Valley area. Some are day walks which take us through a variety of interesting rock formations. One is a longer loop lasting two or three days.

This takes us through the palms and pools of Palm Valley and out into much more open country. From here, we cross to a deep gorge system and work our way back to where we began. It may be necessary to carry water for a day and a half on one part of the trip. 

Despite the lack of trails, the walking is relatively easy. We will have plenty of time to stop and explore some of the side gorges, climb the hills for the spectacular views and even to enjoy a swim if the weather is warm enough. 

Unlike most of the relatively permanent pools in central Australia, the shallow spring fed pools along Palm Creek heat up in the sun and are quite pleasant for swimming. 


Palm Valley is only a tiny part of Finke Gorge National Park. We see much more as we drive south along the 4WD track which follows the Finke River, stopping here and there to do a number of interesting day walks as we explore the small gorges and waterholes and enjoy the flowers and birds along the way. Three of the many possibilities are a walk along the Finke River, a walk up Deep Creek near Boggy Hole and a walk to Circular Valley.


Circular Valley was cut out by the Finke River which has since changed it’s course. From the air, it is one of the major landmarks of the region.

From the 4WD track, it is nothing. From our campsite, a day walk up to the rim gives one of the most magnificent views in the region.


Another possibility is a two day loop along the Finke River starting from the Ellery Creek end. This walk takes us along the sandy bed Finke and up into the nearby hills. Waterholes, rugged cliffs, wildlife and spectacular views from the hills make this a particularly interesting and varied walk.


In very dry years, Boggy Hole may be the only waterhole along this section of the Finke. As such it is a refuge for the fish which swim out to repopulate the more ephemeral waterholes in good years. 

Hidden behind Boggy Hole is Deep Gorge. Our loop walk up the gorge, onto the hills and back into the valley is one of the nicest day walks in the Centre.   


Our drive along the 4WD track continues past Running Waters, the last of the Finke’s major permanent waterholes, to Illumurta Springs, site of an old police station. From there, we drive out to the Giles Road where we turn west toward Watarrka and Kings Canyon where we do a short Aboriginal Cultural tour and a two-night walk on the Giles Trail.  Most people take less time and never get to see many of the things that make this park so special.


We return to Alice Springs via the Mereenie Loop Road.

Details

DATES

September 5-18

PRICES
Full price: A$2035 + expenses
See the trip notes for details
*discounts available 
GROUP SIZE
4 - 12 guests
CAMP SITES
Mix of sand and rock ledges and maintained campgrounds. Most sites are good to excellent. You are unlikely to see anyone else at some of the campsites. 
ART
A few minor sites. Not a lot.
SWIMMING
Swimming is likely to be possible in a few places. The water is normally icy cold at this time of year. 
WILDLIFE
Birds are always present but you are unlikely to see many large animals. If you keep your eyes open, you have a good chance to see rock wallabies in some of the gorges.
CLIMATE
Average daytime max 20ºC, average nighttime min 4-5ºC. Can drop below freezing. Generally low humidity. Rain very unlikely but possible. Be prepared. 
COOKING
We will have camp fires wherever possible but may need to use stoves in some areas. 

WALK RATING - HARD
Terrain
 
Even if we choose the easiest possible routes, the pack carrying portion of this trip will include several moderately steep climbs and some rock hopping. Day walks can be quite long and quite steep. One of the possible day walks includes a very steep climb where you may need to use your hands to help pull you up. 

Vegetation 

Varies from year to year depending on when last burnt. Vegetation normally presents very little problem but, in some areas, the spinifex may be dense enough to make heavy gaiters and long trousers essential. 

Distance

Generally 4-6 hours, not including breaks. A few days on the day walks might be longer. 

Pack Weight

Depends on which walks are included. Even on the longest walk, you will need to carry only 5 days food. You need both a sleeping bag and a tent. You should also carry rain gear. The popularity of some of the campsites means that firewood may be scarce so we will carry a stove and fuel. 

Booking Information Enquire Now

Download detailed trip notes

July 21 - August 1
Major update was done on 8 May. Some details have not made it onto this page.

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Itinerary

  • DAY 0

    Pre-trip meeting at 6.30 p.m., venue to be advised. This meeting is important. If you cannot make the meeting, please advise us well in advance. 

  • DAY 1

    8 a.m. pick up as arranged at the pre-trip meeting.


    Drive to Finke Gorge, short walk or begin longer walk carrying full packs.  


    Bush camp. 


  • DAY 2-7

    Bush camping. Carrying full packs some days, day packs on others.  


     Includes long drives in a 4WD vehicle some days. 


  • DAY 8

    Finish drive to the main road and drive to Kings Creek Station. 4:00 PM Karrke Aboriginal cultural tour near the station. Continue to Kings Canyon Resort. Overnight in budget accom. Meal at restaurant.

  • Day 9

    Begin Watarrka Walk. Bush camp.

  • Day 10-11

    On Watarrka walk, bush camps.

  • Day 12

    Finish walk. Return to Alice Springs via Mereenie Loop road. Drop off at your accommodation late afternoon.

*This itinerary is subject to change