Gorges and 4WDriving in the West Macdonnells (Red Centre)

Hi everyone, we are currently in the Kimberlies at Fitzroy Crossing enjoying WA's warm balmy weather! ......After having to race back to Alice again.. for Ben's tooth issue we decided to stay put for a couple of days and do day trips instead of camping out there.  The first day we drove out to Redbank Gorge. This was  where we were meant to be camping. The campsites were basic bush camps, one called the woodlands down the bottom and one up on the ridge which had nice views. The walk was about 1hr return along the dry river bed to the gorge. 

Next we stopped at Glen Helen. They have a ,bar and restaurant here.  The gorge is more open and the kids ventured into the cold water on a tyre tube.  We stopped into Ormiston gorge but realised that the walks were too long to start late into the afternoon, so we headed off to Serpentine Gorge and climbed up the steep track to the lookout.  It was a great day and a beautiful drive back into Alice looking at the ranges change colour as the sun sunk behind us.

The next day we headed out to Palm Valley which is a 4WD track along the Finke River national park.  We had fun on the drive out along the sandy riverbed, through water crossings, up over rocks etc.  When I was doing research for our trip I read so many conflicting reports about whether it was possible to tow a trailer in or not.  Obviously it depends on the conditions at the time, but we could have definitely towed our Complete Campsite Off road Camper trailer to the campsite.  The 4km drive from the campsite to the Palm Valley walking trails is the toughest part, (it took us about 45mins) but you can't camp in there anyway so you leave the trailer behind at the campsite. Palm Valley is an oasis in the desert.  A reminder of a much wetter period millions of years ago.  Its really pretty, and the walk easy and nice.  The boys spotted lots of Ta Ta lizards, and Hannah and I a Rock Wallaby sheltering in the rock face above us.

Next post will be of our Tanami  Track adventures.....