Tennant Creek is a town located in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is around 1000 kilometres south of the territory capital, Darwin, and 500 kilometres north of Alice Springs.
The town is named after a nearby watercourse of the same name.
Tennant Creek is located in the middle of the Northern Territory the average maximum temperatures range from 24 degrees to 38 degrees, with an average of 22 days per year exceeding 40 degrees. Minimum temperatures range from 12 degrees in winter to 25 degrees in the hotter months.
Tennant Creek is an old gold mining town, home to the largest open-cut gold mine in Australia up until 1985 when mining stopped. The mine is Nobles Nob, which made one-eyed Jack Noble and blind partner William Weaber a small fortune.
There are plenty of things to do in Tennant Creek, many about gold mining. You can visit the old Gold Stamp Battery, Peko Road, and have a guided tour around at 9.30am or 5.00pm. If you want hands on experience head to the Moonlight Rockhole along Warrego Road, where you can fossick for gold yourself. You will need a permit to do this, so head for the Department of Mines and Energy first. There are also a couple of mining tours that you can take.
Other attractions include visiting the National Trust Museum, one of the 12 remaining telegraph stations in Northern Territory, as well as horse riding or visiting Devil's Marbles. Devil's Marbles are huge boulders at the side of the road, said by Aboriginal mythology to have been put there by the Rainbow Serpent.
There is a campsite in the Devil's Marbles Conservation Park or pub accommodation at Wauchope. South from Devil's Marbles is the Stuart Memorial, and Barrow Creek where another telegraph station still stands. In August the Barrow Creek Races are very popular and something you have to see.
There is a range of accommodation in the area, from camping and hostels to hotels and motels. There are also several good places to eat out both during the day and in the evening.
Featured Tennant Creek Activities
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19 Day Camping Tour from Darwin to Ayers Rock(EX2626) (Adventures) Camping trips are a unique way to experience Australia in some stunning wilderness campsites. It’s about getting back to basics, getting close to nature and stretching the budget, without compromisi...
10 Day Outback and Kimberley Camping Tour(EX2627) (Adventures) This 10 day camping tour features unique locations such as: Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta, Broome, Geikie Gorge, Alice Springs and Cable Beach. Camping is about getting back to basics, getting close...
Red Centre to the Top End Tour(EX2663) (Touring) Travel from Ayers Rock to Darwin in 11 adventure-filled days. Experience the sunset at Uluru, a walk through Walpa Gorge, climbing Kings Canyon, cruising on Katherine Gorge, saltwater crocodile spotti...
Purchase this DVD that showcases this unique part of Australia. Includes footage of Kakadu, with its lush rivers, billabongs and wetlands. Yellow Waters, Twin and Jim Jim Falls. The mysterious paintings of ancient Aboriginal artists including Arnhem Land at Ubirr and Nourlangie Rock.
Visit Litchfield National Park, Katherine Gorge and the warm waters of Mataranka Thermal Pool, plus the sandstone shapes in the Lost City near Cape Crawford.
Experience Darwin, the capital of Australia's Tropical North with it's many attractions. Learn about Alice Springs, where legendary tales of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Old Telegraph Station can be heard. The MacDonnell Ranges, Standley Chasm and Glen Helen Gorge, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the magnificent domes of Kata Tjuta ( The Olgas ) also feature.
