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. 

Today it was agreed upon that Chris and Irene would stay in Alice Springs until their car was repaired. The rest of us would go on and meet up with them at Uluru in four days time.We decided that we would all drive out together to Finke/Hermannsburg after lunch before parting company. 

After packing up the tents in the morning we drove to the gardens surrounding the Telegraph station to look at the springs that gave the town its name.

Before leaving the campsite we had
to put this little visitor somewhere safe
 so we wouldn't stand on him whilst packing up our tents.

 Before we got there I took these two photos of the Residency,"the former home of the Government representative in Alice Springs.,built in the 1920's." 

The Telegraph Station.

The site of the springs....unfortunately very dry.

We stopped at the community of Wallace Rockhole and had a look at the potter's workshop. 

It was so hot that the horses were sheltering in the shade of the police station veranda.

 From there it was on to Hermannsburg. 

  Hermannsburg is known as the home of the famous Aboriginal artist, Albert Namatjira.

"The Hermannsburg Historic Precinct is the last surviving mission developed by the Hermannsburg Missionary Society. It shows the influence of the German Lutherans on Aboriginal people in central Australia.

Hermannsburg was established in 1877 as a religious mission for Aboriginal people. It became a refuge from the frontier conflict (violent conflict between pastoralists, the police and Aborigines) for the Arrernte people. As well as reflecting the changing policies towards Aboriginal people, it was the home of acclaimed Aboriginal artist, Albert Namatjira. The Hermannsburg Historic Precinct was included in the National Heritage List on 13 April 2006."(http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/national/hermannsburg)

This sign on the back of the toilet was to prove prophetic that night.

 Behind the church was the mortuary.

Here you can clearly see the mortuary behind the church.

No settlement out here isn't complete without a set of rusty cars.

 There was so much to look at.

And this the community's Lutheran church.

 Next stop for some us....Palm Valley with some stunning scenery on the way there.

I love this country!!

At last we entered the Finke National Park. The Finke river is considered the oldest river in the world.

We had a lovely campsite with some noisy companions, yellow -throated miners.

Behind our campsite there was a partially dry river bed with black-fronted dotterels coming in for a drink.

                                               Another sunset setting the rocks alight.

                And to finish off the night along comes a black snake while John was in the shower.