Palm Valley 4WD Tour: Explore Central Australian Wilderness

Explore Palm Valley in a custom 4WD, visit Hermannsburg, and traverse the Central Australian landscape. Discover hidden gems and Aboriginal culture.

Duration: 10 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Hermannsburg Historic Precinct - Visit Hermannsburg Aboriginal Community, the birthplace of artist Albert Namatjira. View amazing artworks at the gallery and explore the historic buildings
  • Palm Valley - Travel down the bed of the Finke River, one of oldest water courses in the world, into Palm Valley. See spectacular rock forms, white sands…
What's Included
  • Hotel pick up and drop off
  • Experienced driver guide
  • Picnic Lunch
  • Comprehensive commentary
  • Transport in air-conditioned 4WD coach
  • Morning tea with scones, tea and coffee
What's Not Included
  • Entry to Finke Gorge National Park requires a Northern Territory Parks Pass
Additional Information

Embark on an off-road adventure in a specially designed 4WD vehicle, reaching places that are typically hard to access. Journey through the Central Australian terrain, traveling along the edge of the Finke River and exploring the stunning Palm Valley. Experience significant landmarks and visit the Aboriginal community of Hermannsburg, referred to by the local Arrernte people as ‘Ntaria.’

Location
Hermannsburg Historic Precinct
Hermannsburg Road
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(39 Ratings)
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Jajavalb
Oct 31, 2023
One trip, all styles of adventure experience - I did this tour on Sunday october 2023, first stop after long drive(120km) is Hermannsburg historical precinct. unfortunately, this precinct will be closed till April 2024; so we just had morning tea/coffee outside the attraction. There is church service in the nearby lutheran church. Then we headed west to the unsealed road to Palm valley; it’s fun, bumpy jumpy ride along the way to the first stop(picnic area) for toilet, After that we stilopped at cycad gorges where santuary of ancient trees thrives for thousand years. Finally, we arrived Palm valley, nature wonders that palm trees grow in isolated area , thousand miles from their counterparts; I did bush walk along the valley then climbed up to the ridge , walking back to the car park. It concluded my tour with wonderful experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ann
Nov 13, 2022
Fascinating history and landscape - Like many of the previous reviewers, I can highly recommend this tour....even though the drive up the Finke River was the bumpiest journey I've made in a 4WD vehicle. Our driver Martin did an excellent job. The combination of the visit to the historic Hermannsberg Mission site and then the chance to explore the landscape of this extraordinary part of the world was a wonderful balance.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Margh2015
Aug 30, 2022
Stunning Palm Valley tour - We undertook this tour with AAT Kings. Brett our driver did an excellent job with his superb driving skills that was so necessary on a rough 4wd track. The area was simply beautiful from the Finke River and Palm Valley to the delicious morning tea at Hermannsburg. This is a must do for anyone visiting Alice Springs. Thanks Brett for a great dat
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Catherineh586
Jul 22, 2022
Sandrifters Day tour from Alice springs to Palm Valley - Palm Valley with Sanddrifters day tours. Early start with Bill in a comfortable 4WD 14 seat tour bus. We drove to Palm Valley and walked the valley and the top of the sandstone range. The palms, ghost gums and cycads make beautiful vertical gardens. The 4WD drive into the valley was quite bumpy and rugged. We were certainly glad Bill was driving and we could relax and checkout the scenery.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Susan_b
Jun 29, 2021
A spiritually-uplifting escape - I had the most wonderful day! Our tour guide/bus driver, Brett, created a welcoming atmosphere, was well informed and quite funny. I found it spiritually uplifting from the various perspectives of the Hermannsburg/Ntaria Lutheran mission, to driving along the oldest riverbed in the world (Finke River), visiting breathtaking Cycad Gorge/Palm Valley and viewing the wonderful Aboriginal artwork that captures the true essence of this place. I would go again.
Review provided by Viator
Heidi_m
Jun 28, 2021
A beautiful part of the world - I appreciated being taken to Palm Valley - such a remote and beautiful place. Brett was a fantastic driver on a challenging road. Both he and Jim were supportive of the group’s needs and abilities. Hermannsburg, too, was interesting and the scones for morning tea were a treat. It was a memorable day
Review provided by Viator
Patrick_f
Jun 7, 2021
Go back in time - Excellent trip. Small group. Very competent driver guide. Is truly 4WD only! Well paced combination of visiting historical and natural sites.
Review provided by Viator
Melbournefoodie2019
May 25, 2021
Wonderful tour to Palm Valley and Hermansberg - The whole day was excellent from start to finish. Our guide/driver Brett was very kind and gave us a lot of interesting information. He helped each member of the group. The 4wd bus was very comfortable and felt safe as Brett drove us through very uneven creek beds. He took us on wonderful walks and pointed out interesting features.He coped calmly and confidently when we were bogged in sand and we were on our way again quickly. I loved the walks to the top of Kalarranga lookout, then along the base of Palm Valley and up the steps to the top with wonderful views. Brett made allowances for those who didn’t wish to make the climbs. The morning tea with Fresh scones jam and cream at Hermansberg was delicious although I would have liked longer to explore the old site. The packed lunch at Palm Valley was delicious and healthy. Altogether a long but very memorable day, highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maree_p
May 20, 2021
Palm Valley 4WD Tour - Tour guide was very informative. Scenery was beautiful at Palm Valley but getting rescued when the bus got bogged on the very rough road on the way out put a dampener on the day. Proper equipment should have been on board
Review provided by Viator
Philip_h
Jun 3, 2021
Shame on AAT Kings for poor attention to safety - Our problems started when it took ages to get into contact with either Viator or AAT Kings to confirm our trip date which had been changed by Viator with an endless stream of conflicting emails. Actual tour was the 18 May 2021. Tour itself was a disaster. Due to wrong type of vehicle (a poorly converted to 4WD school bus) and poor driving we get bogged in sand for over an hour. Driver didn't seem to know what he was doing. Had not much idea how to get us out and made little effort to coordinate our recovery. Vehicle had no recovery gear, not even a shovel. Towing strap would not fit the tow point which was obstructed by the conversion to 4 WD. Driver and the Company should not have allowed such an ill equipped vehicle and driver out in a remote area with little regard for safety.
Review provided by Viator