28th July, Back in Alice off to the Tanami

Palm Valley
Finke National Park

Back in Alice, again... the boys are thrilled as we are being particularly luxurious after a month of tents and staying in a little tin shed cabin in the caravan park where there is a jumping pillow :) The last 5 days we've spent in Finke park at Palm Valley and the East McDonnell Ranges. The recent floods meant the bogey hole track and ruby gap were closed to us which was a pity, but we still enjoyed the places we were. Palm Valley was spectacular with literally its valley of palm trees. These are the only ones in Central Australia, a legacy from the Dinosaur times, due to the unique nature of the surrounding gorge holding water and protecting the palms. Spectacular scenery around the valley and lots of river crossings going in, as the Finke is flowing, which the boys really enjoyed. The highlight for all the boys, especially the eldest was the arrival of 5 tractors towing caravans crossing from WA to Byron Bay to raise money for the Flying Doctors. Quite a sight as they all pulled in (one being towed as it had broken down going through the bogey hole). From Palm Valley we crossed the Owens Spring Reserve which was really pretty going along the river beds and bush camped by a waterhole. No people which was lovely. Then out to the East McDonnell ranges along Binns track to N'Dhala Gorge to see some aboriginal rock carvings and camped at Trephina Gorge. People had said that the East McDonnells were nicer than the West and how true that was. Much quiter and some spectacular 4wd tracks and gorges. We had a beautiful camp spot for 2 nights by the river under massive rock walls and the weather finally warmed up.

Did I mention this is the coldest, wettest winter in Alice Springs in 40 years.... Meaning it hasn't been getting much above 15 degrees and close to 0 at night, and lots of roads closed. On the plus side to some extent, everything is spectacularly green with lots of flowers in bloom. Its very hard to believe we are in desert, and the boys keep asking when are we going to get to the desert. I suspect we are going to see this most of our trip. We'll have to come back again another time to see what it is supposed to look like.

So we are now reaching temperatures above 20, which is a bit of a shock but very pleasant and good preperation as we make the big trip north. Yesterday we went out to Altunga, an old gold mine town where the boys could actually climb down ladders and go through the tunnels to great excitement (and saw a bat). Also had the opportunity to lock Dad up in a 100 year old jail which they took advantage of :)

So back in Alice, rearranging ourselves as we are back with our campertrailer after being in the tent for the last week, doing the usual loads of washing before we head off for the Tanamai desert tomorrow. We are lucky it is open as it was closed for 2 weeks after the rains a couple of weeks ago. Allowing 3 to 4 days to get across before going to the Bungle Bungles where we hope to meet up with the Cracknells for a few days. Back on line in Kunanurra in about week. Ciao!