Outback Northern Territory

The Devils Marbles

Tennant Creek is most well known for the 'Devils Marbles' which are actually about 100km south of Tennant Creek within the 1800 Ha Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve. The Devils Marbles are a unique wonder and arguably as spellbinding as Uluru or Kings Canyon.

They are an extensive collection of huge round red coloured boulders which seem precariously, almost impossibly balanced and starkly contrast with the relatively featureless surrounding landscape. They are granite rocks of volcanic origin which have been eroded over 1500 million years to produce the formation they are today.

The Devils Marbles are explained in a Dream Time legend told by The Warumungu, the native Aboriginal people who say that they are fossilised eggs of the Rainbow Serpent. For this reason the Devils Marbles Reserve is another spiritually significant and sacred site to the Aborigines.

The Devils Pebbles

Tennant Creek also has The Devils Pebbles a relatively short drive to the north. They look like miniature versions of the larger Devils Marbles but equally as fascinating.

Mercure Inn Hotel Katherine

Four kilometres south of Katherine on the main highway. Attractive tropical gardens contain a shaded swimming pool and tennis court for relaxation,

There is much to see of historical interest with museums, galleries and heritage walks and drives. Tennant Creek is situated near the Warumungu Aboriginal Land Trust. For any of the Aboriginal Land Trusts permits, which are hard to come by for the casual visitor, are required if venturing off public roads which pass through the zone.

Former Gold Mining Town

Tennant Creek was once the location of the largest open gold cast mine in the world. Gold and copper mining still continues today but they are on a much smaller scale compared with the days of 'Australia's Last Gold Rush'. The area has many tours and attractions revolving around former gold mining operations. Battery Creek Mining Centre a few km from Tennant Creek is a comprehensive collection of mining equipment and includes the opportunity to go underground to experience the conditions encountered by the gold miners.

Vast Distances

Throughout the Northern Territory, distances between townships or settlements can be great and there are vast tracts of largely un populated land which may require permission from Aboriginal Land Authorities to access.

Travel through the Northern Territory should be treated with the utmost respect. Careful preparation must be made if you are thinking of venturing out alone as people have been known to succumb to the conditions in just a few hours. In addition, during the monsoon season, some roads throughout the 'Top End are often made unpassable by flooding.