GORV - Digital Magazine Issue #63 | Page 77

RV TRAVEL
RAINBOW VALLEY CONSERVATION RESERVE
Beginning with the easiest to drive to , Rainbow Valley can be accessed via the Stuart Highway , 15km north of Stuarts Well Roadhouse ( 75km south of Alice Springs ). If you have a standard caravan , leave it at Stuarts Well Campground . The wide , unsealed 24km road with some slippery bends will deliver you to the two Rainbow Valley campgrounds : the first accommodates camper trailers and caravans ; the second is for tents . Facilities include pit toilets , barbecues and picnic tables .
Like a massive panoramic vista erupting from an otherwise unremarkable landscape , astonishing Rainbow Valley glows with a palette of reds and oranges at sunset . There are two easy , short walks : one to Mushroom Rock and the other along a usually dry clay pan that becomes a reflecting pool after rain .
A night or two is the perfect amount of time for Rainbow Valley .
Rainbow Valley is one of those places where you can just relax . Spending a night or two here is a perfect amount of time . If you try to make this a day trip from Alice Springs to see the sunset , you will be driving back in the dark and dealing with wandering stock and native wildlife on or near the road , not to mention 50m-long road trains travelling at 135km / h on the Stuart Highway .
Camping sites must be booked in advance . Fees are payable in cash , on site , with no change given : $ 4.00 / adult , $ 2.00 / child ( 5-17 years ), $ 10.00 / family ( 2 adults , 4 kids ).
Rainbow Valley . Just magnificent .
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