Finke Gorge National Park covers an area of 46,000 hectares, and includes the impressive Palm Valley. Palm Valley is home to a diverse range of plant species many of which are rare and unique to the area, including the Red Cabbage Palm for which the Park is well known.This species of Palm is restricted to this area, having a population of around 3,000 adult plants.(http://www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/

Our first full day in Palm Valley dawned with an early start. Because it was so hot, in high 30's, low 40's we decided to start off early for our walk. Our walk this morning took us to the Kalarranga Lookout and then we continued on the Mpaara Walk which took us two hours.

The park is of cultural significance to the Western 

Arrernte Aboriginal people.

We followed the story on the walk.

The path, in sections, was narrow and steep.

We made it to the top.Not bad for someone with a bad knee.
And the views were worth it.

 The sand sparkled in the heat.

Yellow-throated miner birds were only too happy to share our lunch back at camp.

 After resting for a while after lunch Sharon called us down to the river behind us where she had spotted a perentie lizard. These are not often seen so it was a treat to spot one. Despite the heat we went for a walk along the river bed.

It was nice to see some water in the river.

We had more bird company in the afternoon with this crow and baby magpie. 

And this Australian Ring-necked parrot was feeling the heat....just like us.

In the evening we had more visitors in the shower....frogs, mice and big beetles. The snake also made a return visit before sliding into the maintenance room between the ladies and gents toilets and staying there, probably with mice to feast on.