Central Australia Attractions
The Red Centre is the heart of Australia, an arid outback region which in spite of its sparse vegetation attracts steadily increasing numbers of visitors with its fascinating colors, ancient rock formations and deep gorges. Its main features of interest are Alice Springs, the largest and best known outback town, the Macdonnell Ranges, Kings Canyon, Finke Gorge National Park, with Palm Valley, Hermannsburg and above all Ayers Rock, with the Olgas and the new tourist center of Ayers Rock Resort (formerly Yulara).
Roughly a quarter of the population are Aborigines, and the remains of their ancient culture have been better preserved in the thinly populated hot, dry outback than anywhere else. The climate is extreme. Hot summers with maximum day temperatures of over 45°C are followed by warm winter days with nights which are sometimes frosty. Rainfall is very low (average 280 mm), often taking the form of violent showers after long drought.
Roughly a quarter of the population are Aborigines, and the remains of their ancient culture have been better preserved in the thinly populated hot, dry outback than anywhere else. The climate is extreme. Hot summers with maximum day temperatures of over 45°C are followed by warm winter days with nights which are sometimes frosty. Rainfall is very low (average 280 mm), often taking the form of violent showers after long drought.
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Arltunga Historical Reserve
5506ha.
Gold was found here in 1887 and was worked systematically until 1916. Little is left of this isolated mining settlement - mine shafts, rusty machinery, ruins of stone-built houses (the police station and prison have been restored). There is a visitor center with documentation and an interesting old cemetery. Walkers should be wary of disused mine shafts and wells. Visitors can look for gold in Paddy's Creek, on the south side of the access road. In Arltunga itself digging and the use of metal detectors are prohibited.
Gold was found here in 1887 and was worked systematically until 1916. Little is left of this isolated mining settlement - mine shafts, rusty machinery, ruins of stone-built houses (the police station and prison have been restored). There is a visitor center with documentation and an interesting old cemetery. Walkers should be wary of disused mine shafts and wells. Visitors can look for gold in Paddy's Creek, on the south side of the access road. In Arltunga itself digging and the use of metal detectors are prohibited.
Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory Alice Springs Region
Box 2130
South Stuart Highway
Alice Springs, NT 0870
Australia
Box 2130
South Stuart Highway
Alice Springs, NT 0870
Australia
Barrow Creek, Australia
On Barrow Creek is an old roadhouse hotel dating from the time when the Stuart Highway was still a mere track.
The area was explored by Stuart, who named it after a South Australian politician, John Henry Barrow.
The area was explored by Stuart, who named it after a South Australian politician, John Henry Barrow.
Tennant Creek Regional Tourist Association
Box 601
Tennant Creek, NT 0860
Australia
Box 601
Tennant Creek, NT 0860
Australia
Barrow Creek Telegraph Station Historical Reserve
In 1872 a repeater station on the Overland Telegraph Line was established in Barrow Creek, with a large cattle-grazing area to provide for the subsistence of the telegraph station, as at other stations on the line. In 1874 the two telegraph officials on duty here were killed by Aborigines. There is a shop and a filling station.
Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory Alice Springs Region
Box 2130
South Stuart Highway
Alice Springs, NT 0870
Australia
Box 2130
South Stuart Highway
Alice Springs, NT 0870
Australia
Mount Connor
Mount Connor, known to the Aborigines as Atila, was discovered in 1873 and named after the South Australian politician M.L. Connor.
This tabular hill comes in sight some 130km after the Lasseter Highway branches off the Stuart Highway and is often confused with Ayers Rock. It rises to a height of 350m above the plain, with a steeply scarped north side and a summit plateau. The south side has a very different aspect, sloping down more gently in a series of depressions.
From the Mount Connor Lookout rest area on the Lasseter Highway there are views of a number of salt lakes.
This tabular hill comes in sight some 130km after the Lasseter Highway branches off the Stuart Highway and is often confused with Ayers Rock. It rises to a height of 350m above the plain, with a steeply scarped north side and a summit plateau. The south side has a very different aspect, sloping down more gently in a series of depressions.
From the Mount Connor Lookout rest area on the Lasseter Highway there are views of a number of salt lakes.
Wallara Ranch
Wallara Ranch is an outback inn, which until the completion of the new Kings Canyon Frontier Lodge was an important tourist stopover. From here it is 95km to Kings Canyon/Watarrka National Park. The inn was once on the huge Angus Downs cattle station.
Wauchope, Australia
Wauchope is a convenient stopover on the Stuart Highway. It began life as a supply center for workers in the wolfram mines discovered in 1914, who included many Chinese. In 1923 the post office was converted into an inn.
10km north, on the Stuart Highway, are the Devil's Marbles.
10km north, on the Stuart Highway, are the Devil's Marbles.
Tennant Creek Regional Tourist Association
Box 601
Tennant Creek, NT 0860
Australia
Box 601
Tennant Creek, NT 0860
Australia
More Australia Resources
- Red Centre Australia tours by Viator
