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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.
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
- Palm Valley - Journey along the ancient Finke River, one of the world’s oldest waterways, into the stunning Palm Valley. Marvel at the breathtaking rock formations, pristine white sands, and a lush oasis of rock pools and palm trees. Discover unique plants like the cycad and ‘Livistonia Mariae’ (cabbage palm), renowned globally as relic species,…
- Palm Valley - Journey along the ancient Finke River, one of the world’s oldest waterways, into the stunning Palm Valley. Marvel at the breathtaking rock formations, pristine white sands, and a lush oasis of rock pools and palm trees. Discover unique plants like the cycad and ‘Livistonia Mariae’ (cabbage palm), renowned globally as relic species, exclusive to Central Australia. Visit the impressive rock formation known as the Amphitheatre. Delight in a picnic lunch this afternoon. On the way back, unwind and admire the shifting hues of the magnificent West MacDonnell Ranges in the afternoon light.
- Finke Gorge National Park - Savor a leisurely picnic lunch amidst the rugged beauty of Finke Gorge National Park.
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
- 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
- Entry to Finke Gorge National Park requires a Northern Territory Parks Pass
Additional Information
Set off on an exciting full-day 4WD journey from Alice Springs through the breathtaking West MacDonnell Ranges, with a stop for morning tea. Travel along the dry bed of the ancient Finke River into the heart of Palm Valley, a unique desert oasis renowned for its rare and ancient plant species like the cycad and Livistona Mariae (cabbage palm). Discover…
Set off on an exciting full-day 4WD journey from Alice Springs through the breathtaking West MacDonnell Ranges, with a stop for morning tea. Travel along the dry bed of the ancient Finke River into the heart of Palm Valley, a unique desert oasis renowned for its rare and ancient plant species like the cycad and Livistona Mariae (cabbage palm). Discover dramatic rock formations, white sand floors, and serene rock pools, and admire the natural beauty of the Amphitheatre, a remarkable geological formation sculpted over millions of years. Relish a leisurely picnic lunch amidst the rugged scenery of Finke Gorge National Park before heading back to Alice Springs in the late afternoon.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(41 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
Naim_y
Jul 18, 2025
Was a good tour, had a... - Was a good tour, had a good 1.5 hour hike in palm valley, I just felt that the value for the price was off.
Review provided by Viator
Tonyp992
May 13, 2025
Worth doing if they bring the right vehicle - We took a day trip tour to Palm Valley, along the southern road of the West MacDonnell Ranges, with AAPT Tours. You stop off at Simpsons Gap to begin the early journey from Alice Springs, then onwards to the MacDonnell Ranges
This trip is definitely for 4WD vehicles, as the last 60 kilometres follows rough tracks along the Finke river.
You get bounced around plenty for a few hours. Scenery is quite striking once you are off-road and you complete two simple hikes to get a sense of the geology and ecology of this area.
Good idea to bring your own snacks and drinks, as the morning tea and lunch provided is basic.
I recommend checking the night before with AAPT as to the number of guests booked.
It appears that if it’s a smaller group (less than 8), their choice of vehicle might lead to sand bogging and the need to disembark (in sections) so that the vehicle can negotiate the track. Sadly, an additional annoyance for our group was a dashboard alarm that didnt want to stop for half the trip. Kind of spoiled the mood....
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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
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