Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the north, and Alice Springs, 511km to the south. It's a good place to break up a long
drive and check out the town's few attractions.
Local legend speaks of Tennant Creek being founded on beer: first settled when the
drivers of a broken-down beer-laden wagon settled in to consume the freight in the
1930s. The truth is far more prosaic: the town was established as a result of a small gold
rush around the same time. While it was short-lived, gold-mining ventures have operated
discontinuously depending on metal prices, and exploration continues in the region
today.
Tennant Creek is known as Jurnkurakurr to the local Warumungu people and almost
half of the population is of Aboriginal descent. When the town is in the news, it's often
for the wrong reasons - mainly alcoholism and violence - but there is a lot that is posit-
ive happening here and it's worth a stop to experience the wealth of Aboriginal art and
culture on offer.
1
Sights & Activities
Nyinkka Nyunyu
ART GALLERY
(
www.nyinkkanyunyu.com.au
;
Paterson St; tour guide $15; 8am-4pm Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm Sat &
Sun)
This innovative museum and gallery highlights the dynamic art and culture of the
local Warumungu people. The absorbing displays focus on contemporary art, traditional
objects (many returned from interstate museums), bush medicine and regional history.
The diorama series, or bush TVs as they became known within the community, are par-
ticularly special. Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site of the spiky tailed
goanna. Learn about bush tucker and Dreaming stories with your personal guide. There's
also a gallery store and the lovely
Jajjikari Café
(
8am-3pm)
, which serves espresso
coffee and light meals.
Julalikari Arts Centre
ARTS CENTRE
(North Stuart Hwy; 8am-noon Mon-Thu)
It's best to visit the 'Pink Palace', at the entrance
to the Ngalpa Ngalpa community (also known as Mulga Camp), mid-morning when the
artists are at work painting traditional and contemporary art. You can chat to the artists
and purchase directly from them.
Battery Hill Mining Centre
MINE
(Peko Rd; adult/child $25/15; 9am-5pm)
Experience life in Tennant Creek's 1930s gold
rush at this mining centre, which doubles as the Visitor Information Centre, 2km east of
town. There are
underground mine tours
and audio tours of the 10-head battery. In ad-
