This friendly town is located between Alice Springs and Darwin, and still bears many of the signs of its gold mining and cattle ranching heritage. The area is also a treasure trove of aboriginal culture, offering unique opportunities for gaining insight into their vibrant histories and traditions.
As you might expect in an area once famous for being at the heart of Australia’s last true gold rush, Tennant Creek has a rugged air to it. And nowhere is that more evident than in the area’s annual rodeo festival that takes place every October during the Barkly Goldrush Campdraft Challenge. The town is also the hub for the entire Barkly Tableland area, so it makes a great base camp for weeks of adventure in the region!
While it maintains remnants of its wild and wooly past, the Tennant Creek area is also thoroughly modern, with a wide variety of shops, clubs, bars, and other business facilities for locals and visitors alike. That means that you can enjoy the comforts of civilization between your wilder outings into the natural landscape that surrounds the town. From the Karlu Karlu Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve to the Davenport Ranges National Park, you’ll find no shortage of attractions and things to do in Tennant Creek!
National Parks:
- Davenport Range National Park
Attractions & Activities:
- Lake Mary Ann and the Mary Ann Dam
- Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre
- Battery Hill Mining Centre
- Tennant Creek Telegraph Station
- Kelly's Ranch
- Julalikari Arts Centre
- Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve
- The Pebbles
- Church of Christ the King
- Phillip Creek Settlement
- Attack Creek Memorial
- Churchill's Head
- Hiking on nature trails
- Four-wheel driving
- Banka Banka Station
- Fishing
- Guided tours
- Bird watching
- Swimming
Caravan Parks:
Wycliffe Well Holiday Park
130 km south of Tennant Creek on Stuart Highway
If you’re planning on visiting the Devil’s Marbles while you’re in the Northern Territory, a stay at Wycliffe Well could be the perfect choice. With its scenic campground and strategic location - just a short twelve minute drive to the Marbles - this park has everything you need for your adventures in this part of the country. There are more than 200 unpowered sites and roughly five dozen sites with power, so vacancies are generally not an issue! The area is well-known as the capital for Australian UFO interest, and offers a variety of alien-related souvenirs, statues and other attractions, and other UFO-centric delights. Forget Area 51 in the U.S. - this is the real spot to be if you’re enchanted by the thoughts of aliens visiting the planet.
Of course, the camping accommodations are first-rate as well. The camp sites are all grassy, with plenty of shade for your comfort. There’s a bar on-site, as well as entertainment options, internet, and a licensed eatery. A camp kitchen and barbecue options are also available. You can also take advantage of the site’s indoor pool, enjoy the clean amenities block, and fuel up before setting out on your adventures!
$25/night for one person, unpowered site; $26/night for one person, powered site
$36/night for two people, unpowered site; $35/night for two people, powered site
Additional charges apply for extra people, call or visit their website for more details
Tennant Creek Caravan Park
Tennant Creek, Northern Territory
If you’re looking to enjoy everything that Tennant Creek has to offer, then what better way to do that than camping at the Tennant Creek Caravan Park right in town? From the park, you can access most of the town’s businesses and attractions in just a few minutes’ walk. It’s also one of the main pick-up spots for tours in the area! With plenty of grassy spots for setting up your caravan, you’ll feel right at home as you venture out each day for your adventures in the region. The park offers everything from clean amenities and a laundry to an outdoor pool, lounge area, barbecue facilities, and camp kitchen. Tour groups and pets are welcome!
Call or email park management for current rates and availability.
Free Camping / Low Cost Camping:
Your best option for free camping in the area around Tennant Creek is to stop for the night at any of the rest areas on the Stuart. There is also free camping at the Devil’s Marbles if you plan on visiting that popular attraction while you’re here. As with any free campsite, just remember to leave the area in the same condition in which you found it.
DISCLAIMER* Please note, this advice is general in nature and we strongly recommend consulting the product manual and where relevant, a professional installer.
