In June 2000 we set off on our ‘First Big Trip’ travel in Australia holiday, we had been planning for about 12 months, full of excitement and anticipation the day had finally come that we left home on our first Aussie Adventure.
Our itinerary started from country Victoria travelling to Central Australia, Darwin, Kakadu and travelling south via Outback QLD and NSW all in 6 weeks and approx 10,000 kms.
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This is Part 2 of our ‘First Big Trip’ travelling from Kings Canyon, Palm Valley to Alice Springs and Tennant Creek.
Day 8 & 9 – This morning we packed up and left King Canyon Resort campground and drove around ‘Mereenie Loop’ further to Palm Valley, the track in is only for 4WD vehicles getting to the campground which was a variety of driving on sand, creek crossings and rough tracks.
We setup camp and went for a short walk nearby, the photo to the right shows where we walked to and over and was a great look out. Every where we go is different, the plant life, rock formations the variety is quite amazing.
Back at camp we soon found that there is a resident emu, which was very amusing most of the time but also a pest, taking food etc. the Park Ranger called him ‘Psycho’ LOL thats exactly what he was.
Palm Valley is part of Finke Gorge National Park and named after the species of ‘Red cabbage palm’. The walk through the valley was very impressive, only had a little bit of water in creeks, plenty of water would be flowing with some decent rain.
Day 10, 11 & 12 – Next day we packed up again and drove to Alice Springs and camped at the Big 4 Tourist Park. We needed to stock up on food so we did that and played the tourist and looked around. This photo is the entrance to Alice Springs surrounded by the McDonnel Ranges.
While we were in Alice Springs we visited the Desert Wildlife Park, The Telegraph Station and drove out to Namitjira Drive and visited Glen Helen Gorge and Ormiston Gorge which is pictured here to the right. We loved Ormiston Gorge, once again very different and stunning.
The last night that we stayed at Alice Springs a school band from near home was touring which was very strange, so far from home. They played as a feature for the night as the park usually has some sort of entertainment organised.
It’s great how these suprise things happen that add to the holiday (providing they are Good things) So far we had met a great family to travel with, Physcho the emu added an interesting touch to Palm Valley and being in the same place as the school band. I wonder what else can happen!! This photo is of Alice Springs first known waterhole.
Day 13 – Next morning we packed up once again, the family we met were from Sydney were departing heading back to Sydney, before we left they suggested we all go to ‘The Kimberley’ in 2003, we had met the nicest people who we got along with amazingly well with. We have met them somewhere every year since, we went to the Kimberley with them in 2003, been to Fraser Island several times, Noosa several times, had a week on a house boat and 4WD toured eastern Central Australia in 2008.
We headed off up north to Tennant Creek, on the way we stopped at Devils Marbles, which could be described as a pile of massive boulders, which has a strange attraction. There was a lady in a caravan selling souvenirs and ice creams catching all the tourists. Worth a look if you are driving past. Next stop was Tennant Creek, then we visit the Top End.
The Adventure continues – Travel In Australia Holiday – Our First Big Trip Itinerary And Adventure Part 3 Tennant Creek to Litchfield National Park
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