Finke Gorge National Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Finke Gorge National Park Namatjira, Northern Territory
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
Finke Gorge National Park map
Finke Gorge National Park Location in Northern Territory
Nearest town or city	Alice Springs
Established	28 October 1966 (1966-10-28)
Area	452.85 km2 (174.8 sq mi)
Visitation	19,900 (in 2018)
Managing authorities	Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory
Website	Finke Gorge National Park
See also	Protected areas of the Northern Territory

Finke Gorge National Park is a special protected area in Australia's Northern Territory. It's located about 1318 kilometers (819 miles) south of Darwin, the capital city.

This national park covers a huge area of 458 square kilometers (177 square miles). It's famous for an amazing desert oasis called Palm Valley. This valley is home to many different kinds of plants, and some of them are super rare and only found here! It's a great place for hiking (bushwalking) and camping.

Ancient History and Culture

Finke Gorge National Park is well-known for its very old palm trees and important Aboriginal cultural sites.

The Unique Palm Valley

The Central Australian Cabbage Palm is a special type of palm tree. You can only find it in Palm Valley, and there are lots of them here! There are about 3000 full-grown palms. Plus, thousands of tiny seedlings are scattered around the park. These small plants can easily get stepped on by visitors. That's why it's super important for everyone to stay on the marked paths. This helps protect the young palms from being destroyed.

The Ancient Finke River

The Finke River is thought to be one of the oldest river systems in the world. Some parts of it are believed to be as old as 350 million years! Imagine how much history that river has seen.

Aboriginal Heritage

The national park and the areas nearby are very important to the Western Arrernte Aboriginal people. This land holds deep cultural meaning for them. There are also signs that early European settlers lived here a long time ago.

Visiting the Park

Finke Gorge National Park is a fantastic place for adventure and exploring nature.

Getting Around

If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, you can follow a route down the Finke River. This path leads to Illamurta Springs and Watarrka National Park.

Hiking and Views

Hiking, also known as bushwalking, is a popular activity here.

• Kalaranga Lookout: This is an easy 20-minute climb. From the top, you get amazing views of a natural rock amphitheater. It's like a huge outdoor theater surrounded by rugged cliffs.
• Mpaara Walk: This walk teaches you about the stories and beliefs (mythology) of the Western Arrernte Aboriginal culture. It's a great way to learn about the traditional owners of the land.
• Palm Valley Walks: In Palm Valley, there are two main walks:
  • Arankaia Walk: This trail takes you through the slender palm trees.
  • Mpulungkinya Walk: This is a longer walk that also winds through the palms. It then returns across a beautiful plateau with scenic views.

Images for kids

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  Palm Valley, located in the national park

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  Amphitheatre

See also

In Spanish: Parque nacional Garganta Finke para niños