‘Once in a lifetime’: Flowing ancient desert river lifts Central Australian town’s spirit

THE ancient Finke River in the spectacular Finke Gorge National Park in Central Australia doesn’t flow often, but when it does it is a sight to behold. See the AMAZING VIDEO HERE

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THE ancient Finke River in the spectacular Finke Gorge National Park in Central Australia doesn’t flow often, but when it does it is a sight to behold.

And many lucky Hermannsburg residents were treated to the spectacular natural wonder this week.

Ntaria (Hermannsburg) residents enjoying the Finke River flowing. Picture: Nick Ortyan

One resident, Nick Ortyan, said a flood in the desert was “a one in a lifetime opportunity to see”.

He said much of the community went down and walked up onto the bridge and watched the flooding waters flow into the other side of the river.

For Nick, it was the first time he has seen the Finke flow.

The last time it happened was in 2016.

“The atmosphere was amazing, it was such an experience,” he said.

“People were smiling, laughing, and there were a few people crying because it’s been a long time since heaps of rain has come down.

“Kids were having fun. It was really good to see everybody with a smile on their face.”

Residents of the remote community of Hermannsburg were treated to the spectacular — and rare sight — of the ancient Finke River flowing in the desert this week

He said the town’s spirits have been lifted since the rain has brought the temperatures down.

“It’s amazing what a little bit of water can do.”

The Finke is believed to be one of the oldest rivers in the world, and is one of the largest rivers in Central Australia.

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It runs for about 600km to the western edge of the Simpson Desert in northern South Australia and flows through the West MacDonnell and Finke Gorge National Parks.

Usually the river is a string of waterholes, but it can form rapids during rare flood events.

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The Indigenous name for the river in parts of the Northern Territory is Larapinta, which lends its name to Larapinta Drive, which runs west from Alice Springs, and the Larapinta walking trail.

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