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Town in the Northern Territory, Australia
Photo: Tourism NT, Attribution via Wikimedia Commons
Tennant Creek is a town in the Northern Territory of Australia. It has a population of around 3,500. It is known as the Territory’s heart of gold mainly due to the people, but also in reference to the gold mining history.
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Built by the Army in 1942 as No. 45 Australian Camp Hospital, the building now features a wide range of exhibits, including a 1930s police cell and steam traction engine. It also houses a reconstruction of a miner's camp and mine workings, a Furphy water cart, an extensive archive and early photographs of the town and its people.
The Winanjjikari Music Centre offers a profound cultural exchange with authentic, traditional Aboriginal people. You’re welcome to come and see the daily life of the musicians, have a chat with them and even join in a song.
Built in 1872 the Tennant Creek Telegraph Station offered a refuge for weary travellers. The discovery of gold by a linesman in 1925 quickly led to the establishment of the present Tennant Creek township. By 1935 a post office was opened which quickly led to the closure of the telegraph station, ending an era of hospitality for weary travellers.
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.
Offers a clear 360-degree view across the landscape and town - it's especially worthwhile to do this at sundown.
The Pebbles
Smaller and less interesting relatives of the Devils Marbles, but much closer to Tennant Creek. Known to the Warumungu Aboriginal people as Kunjarra, The Pebbles are a sacred site and women’s dancing place for the Munga Munga Dreaming.
15 km outside the small mining town of Warrego is a public area where visitors can fossick for gold. The Outback Caravan Park in Tennant Creek runs tag-a-long tours to the area and provides all the necessary equipment.
Mary Ann Dam Recreation Lake is a cool oasis, five kilometres north of Tennant Creek. This man made dam is a pleasant surprise in a rugged, Central Australian environment, offering an ideal picnic spot for locals and tourists alike. The area is large enough to allow canoeing, windsurfing and other water sports.
With dishes ranging from South African to Portuguese, Indian to Thai and a comprehensive wine list which complements the menu makes this a night out to remember. For those less adventurous their menu also includes Australian cuisine. There is a choice of either dining indoors or relaxing in the Al Fresco area under the palms.
Located in the Gold Heart of the Northern Territory, the Tennant Creek Memorial Club (commonly known as ‘The Memo’) is renowned for friendly service, welcoming staff, great meals and regular live entertainment. The Memo is a great place to mix and chat with some of the real outback characters of this vast area. Family friendly with children's activities.
Restaurant; takeaway pizza also available.
The family-friendly Tennant Creek Memorial Club (commonly known as ‘The Memo’) is renowned for friendly service, great meals and regular live entertainment. The Memo is a great place to mix and chat with some of the real outback characters of this vast area.
One of the most historic establishments in town, legend has it that Joe Kilgariff, a figurehead of local prominence, founded the Tennant Creek Hotel in 1934 on the site where his beer wagon had become bogged down in the mud. The Tennant Creek Hotel contains two bars: Jackson's Bar, which features an open fireplace and a patio and serves the midday crowd, and the Faye Lewis Bar, which is open evenings and features occasional live entertainment.
Comfortable, clean and feels relatively safe.
Safari Backpackers is a family hostel that provides friendly service and offers clean and comfortable accommodation. Property facilities include car park, communal kitchen, communal refrigerator, iron, laundry, public telephone, tour desk, TV/lounge area.
Safari Lodge Motel is a small and quiet family run business located in the centre of Tennant Creek, only a short walk to shops and restaurants. Safari Lodge Motel has 18 spacious ground floor units with off road parking, barbecue area and guest laundry. The first in the Territory, the Safari Lodge Motel has been accredited environmentally friendly under the AAA Tourism Green Stars program.
The Tennant Creek Caravan Park is ideally situated in Tennant Creek, on the Stuart Highway, at the northern end of the shopping strip, just a five minute walk from most shops and businesses. This location is close to all the attractions and facilities in Tennant Creek and is also a convenient pick up point for local tours.
Lacklustre motel set around a courtyard (fairly secure parking) with an award-winning restaurant (local awards - standards aren't high).
By car
Cars can be hired at Alice Springs or Darwin. It is possible to hire at one and drop off at the other for a fee, but probably best to check with the company beforehand.
By bus
Greyhound services the highway between Adelaide and Darwin, with a stop in Alice Springs. Northbound the coach arrives in Tennant Creek at 2:10AM, and departs at 3:25AM.
By train
The Ghan, running on the famous Adelaide-Darwin route, passes through Tennant Creek but does not stop here.
The town itself is relatively small and everything within the town can be reached on foot. A car is needed to reach attractions slightly further afield.
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Tennant Creek · Regional · TCA
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