Alice to Hermannsburg

As Stephen says "Blacktop all the way"...with the usual "cruising" police stations sometimes patroling the road :-) If the tourists are planning to drive out to Hermansurg and back, make sure they fuel up. Last time we came back via the Merindee loop I had to sell a Jerry Can full of fuel to some folks in a Maui camper as the Petrol Station was closed for no apparent reason and they decided to try and get back on 7L of Diesel :-) Wasnt going to end well !

Pete

I found Hermannsberg a moving and fascinating place with an amazing history and I look forward to going back in September. Travelling in Central Australia is not just about flogging around from one pub to another, but is also about understanding our history and the part the traditional owners have played over the past 40,000 odd years as well as during more recent white settlement. I think the entry fees we pay are irrelevant for this priviledge.
Some outback communities can be confronting, and dealing with and trying to understand this is part of the challenge and excitement of outback travel. Otherwise we shouldn't be out there. That's my humble opinion!

Gidday Snoopyone, I agree with most of your postings, But i think you missed out on Hermannsburg, We to found it very interesting and steeped in history, We went on a Small 4wd bus tour to Palm Valley [ group of 10 ] to save driving along the river bed road to get into the valley. it cost $99.oo per head and left from Alice, we were most impressed with the story of Hermansburg and it's past, not to mention the Best scones and cream i have had in ages, do not know how much they charge for entrance as it must have been included in the tour price, same as the scones, The tour was very good value and Palm Valley should be on everyones do not miss list ?? next time i am up that way i will do the same trip again, only use my own vehicle so i can spend more time in and around the valley, and i will go back to Hermannsburg for some more scones Rgs dazren

was there last easter - a nice run, interesting place and not at all expensive. Nice cafe and obliging people.

A few years ago " Macca on Sunday" did his show from Hermannsburg and raved about the history and how clean and nice the place was , soHermannsburg was put on to our 'must see' list ,,,, mountains of green[VB] and red [midstrength] empty cans just before the turnoff into town , all bar 1or 2 houses with broken windows and the yards like car wrecking yards , drove the circuit through town to see the mission buildings , only stop was due to a broken toilet pan sitting smack in the middle of the road infront of the graffitti covered toilet block ,,

Dont doubt about the history etc but for once agree with Alloy c/t.

The whole atmosphere was off putting.

We wanted to see the mission and were quite prepared to have lunch there but it was about $15 or more to just drive in without the price of the meal.

Not a lot in the context of the trip but it all adds up.

A bit like Monkey Mia we just wanted to drive in have a coffe and drive out Sorry you have to pay to drive in. So we didnt.

Palm valley is a different kettle of fish and was not included in my post.

Best game of footy I ever had was in Hermannsburg!!

Was kicking the Sherrin around the dirt footy ground with a mate and our 2 sons when a bunch of local kids approached.
"Hey mister! Can we play too?"

What followed was one of the more special memories of my travels.
An hour of a half of watching some of the most talented young kids I have ever seen.

You only ever see what you're looking for..........

Image Could Not Be Found

Good onya Mick. The smiles on the kids faces says it all.

BTW some great footy players have come to the big smoke from out there.

Great photo.

Gday,
Hermansberg is Hermansberg and the mission is a Museum?
Hermansberg is a dirty filthy place full of lots of problems ...the Mission is there for the tourists.
The Lutheran Church still has a financial interest there and still has a Church but I agree with Snoopyone.....Its not pretty!
Yes its possible to call in and have a good expierience and have your photo taken with a blackfella, but you might not be so lucky too???

Personaly.....if your in the area, its worth a look.....but I doubt too many people would go back and stay the night.

Cheers

Thank you Hairy
The ones hanging around the shop put us off from trying to make any contact
and anywhere that has a shop like a prison as there and at Wickham puts you off pretty quick.

Couldnt hardly find the door to the bottle store at Wickham LOL

Have actually seen city tips that are tidier than Hermannsburg

The rest of the trip out to there was great.