Tennant Creek - Northern Territory

Tennant Creek is known as the Territory’s heart of gold; a reference to the friendliness of its people and the area’s gold mining history. Australia’s last gold rush took place here in the 1930s, and there are plenty of opportunities to learn about it at attractions around the town. Visitors can even try fossicking for their own gold.

Prior to the gold rush era, Tennant Creek’s first European residents were workers on the Overland Telegraph Line, which established a communication link between Australia and the rest of the world. The Telegraph Station was built in 1872, and this historical collection of stone buildings can be explored today.

Aboriginal culture is strong in Tennant Creek. The traditional land owners of this area are the aboriginal Warumungu people, and they recognise a number of sacred sites in the area, including the region’s most famous landmark – the Devils Marbles – about 100 kilometres south of the town. They believe that these are the eggs of the Rainbow Serpent – a creature of a Dreamtime story. The Nyinkka Nyunyu Culture Centre in Tennant Creek is an award-winning aboriginal attraction that showcases the people’s stories and art.

Highlights

	The Telegraph Station
	Built in 1872, it is easy to underestimate the significance of the once remote Tennant Creek Telegraph Station. Early travellers welcomed the refuge from the harsh and unforgiving surroundings they had travelled through. Weary linesmen slumped on the cool veranda escaping the heat of the day.

	The Devils Marbles
	The Devils Marbles are clusters of mysterious rock spheres located in the scenic Australian desert near the outback town of Tennant Creek, scattered in heaps throughout a wide, shallow valley.

	Nyinkka Nyunyu
	Nyinkka Nyunyu (pronounced ny-ink-a ny-oo ny-oo) is a fascinating and unique art, culture and interpretive centre, which offers visitors the opportunity to learn about Aboriginal life, history and land in the Tennant Creek region.

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