Tennant Creek & Barkly Tablelands

Karlu Karlu, Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve, NT. Photo credit: Sam Tinson/Tourism NT

Tennant Creek & Barkly Tablelands

The Northern Territory’s 5th largest town sits 1000km south of Darwin and 500km north of Alice Springs. It’s a welcome stopping-off point after a long journey, and the natural base from which to explore another of the Northern Territory’s natural attractions: the Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles, 105km to the south.

Things to do at Tennant Creek

Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre
This area is home to the Warumungu people and the centre is a great place to find out more about their history and life. There’s a gallery of indigenous art and a cafe too.

Battery Hill Mining Centre
Tennant Creek’s nickname of the Territory’s ‘heart of gold’ comes from its long association with gold mining. Australia’s last gold rush was here in the 1930s, and at the mining centre you can tour of the old gold battery and try your hand at panning.

Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles
The Warumungu people believe these ancient granite boulders are the fossilised eggs of the Rainbow Serpent. They’re certainly an intriguing sight, perched at odd angles, seemingly defying gravity. If you camp nearby you’ll be able to see them change colour throughout the day.

Barkly Tablelands
Not so much a thing to do in the Northern Territory; more a view to soak up. Huge skies, never-ending horizons, and an incredible sense of freedom and escapism. It’s nice to feel small every once in a while, and Barkly’s rugged, untamed vastness can certainly have that effect.

The Tablelands are rich in ‘droving’ history. Some of the cattle stations here are as large as small European countries. The local Mitchell grass supports cattle and not much else, but you may see the odd kangaroo or emu.

The fresh water at Daly Waters was essential for both cattle and farmers. Today the Daly Waters pub is one the more touristy Northern Territory attractions but it makes a welcome stop for a cold beer and a chance to reflect on your journey so far.

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Go West

Western Australia was once a land of almost unimaginable opportunity. Huge tracts of land could be claimed simply by placing your cattle on it – but getting your cattle there was a feat equivalent to driving your herd from London to Moscow.

The Durack brothers (and over 2,000 cattle) were up for the challenge. They faced drought, flood, cattle fever and the death of one of their stockmen while completing the journey from QLD to WA (passing Daly Waters on the way) in 1863.

Theirs is still the longest cattle drive in history.