Then it was leaving the tar behind again and going past Gosse Bluff to Hermannsburg to re-fuel in this Aboriginal mission before heading into Palm Valley with its many river crossings due to the recent rains. This is truly an oasis with special palms which don't grow any where else on earth. You will certainly test your suspension travel on the last few miles as you have to drive over solid rock with some of it under water when we were there. Saw a few Landcruiser hire vehicles crunch their bumpers mainly due to lack of driver skill and their long overhangs. There is a nice walk up the gorge before returning over the ridge top.
Palm Valley
After getting permission from the National Park officer we were allowed to check out the Boggy Hole track which was still closed due to the rain putting the track under water as it follows the Finke River and crosses it countless times and even runs down the middle of the river in places. So after showing our capable rigs and a promise to let them know if we made it through we headed off. It is deep sand all the way but is well worth it with utter peace even though it was the day before News Years Eve. We had a great camp site at Boggy Hole opposite the police station ruins which used to be there to stop the cattle duffing that was going on. Had a rope rigged up to a tree so we could drop of the high bank and do bombs in the water. Had a good couple of days relaxing here before moving off.
Driving down the Finke River
The spectacular Kings Canyon
This is definitely the best that it gets in Central Australia if not the whole of Australia. If you are anywhere near this place you would be mad to miss out on seeing it. It's unfortunate that the tourists mainly walk only up the middle of the gorge and not all the way around the rim as well. It is only from the top do you get to experience the awesome sight that this place is with its towering walls and getting the guts to hang your head over the side will take your breath away. It is not for the faint hearted as there are no railings or fences anywhere to spoil the place but certain death will follow if you drop over the edge. The garden of Eden is well named being a beautiful rock hole lined with trees that is halfway up the rock wall and is great to swim there with several German tourists doing so stark naked!