Welcome to Central Australia’s ghost town. Established soon after gold was found in 1887, Arltunga was the first town to spring up in Central Australia, and soon some 300 people lived there. Eventually, Arltunga had a police station, post office, as well as the Government Battery and Cyanide Works.
We are glad we visited this ‘ghost town’. Some of the buildings have been restored, giving visitors a good insight into what life would have been like over 100 years ago. It would have been a harsh existence with temperatures reaching extreme highs and lows. In summer, the temperature frequently soared into the ’40s (Celcius); the flies would have been maddening and the workload brutal.
Information Centre
First stop is the information centre. At the information centre, you can read all about the discovery of gold and how gold is mined. Then read about quirky inhabitants of Arltunga; the local copper who was reported at the Arltunga races… “drunk in the sand with his trousers down around his knees”.
Outdoor Display
From the Information Centre walk amongst some of the remaining paraphernalia from an era long gone.
What remains of the town is spread over a few kilometres. The self-guided tour is best done in your car. Stop in the car parks and then enjoy the short walks around the establishment and out to the mines.
The Government Battery and Cyanide Works
The Government Battery area is home to the manager’s and the assayer’s houses. These would have been the fanciest houses in the area. The assayer’s house is one room with an outdoor kitchen, while the manager’s house had two rooms. Very different from how we live today!
In this area, you can see the battery and cyanide works, what remains of the post office, blacksmith shop, gold room and offices.
The Police Station
The police station, established in 1912, and small lock-up, are both intriguing, as is the story about the policeman… “with his prisoner shackled to his bed”.
Visit a Gold Mine
The Great Western Mine was well worth the walk. This mine was the second most productive mine at White Range. You can enter the mine and take a look at the sort of back-breaking work mining for gold would have been ‘back in the day’.
More Information
Currency
Australian dollar – AUD – written here as $
Open Hours
Every day. The best time to visit is during the cooler months from April to September.
The visitor centre is open daily from 0800 to 1700.
Location
Arltunga is located 110km east of Alice Springs. Follow Ross Highway and Binns Track signs to Arltunga. The last 33kms are on an unsealed road.
Check road conditions before heading out as roads may become impassable after rain.
Camping
Camping is not permitted in the historical reserve, but campsites are available at nearby Ruby Gap or N’Dhala Gorge Nature Parks.
Park Facilities
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- interpretive information signs
- ranger station – for emergency contact only
- 4WD roads
- drinking water
- public toilets
- picnic area
- walking tracks.
When visiting the park remember all of the following:
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- stay on designated roads and tracks
- all historic, cultural items and wildlife are protected
- firewood collection is not permitted in the reserve
- bins are not provided so take your rubbish with you
- pets are not permitted in the reserve
- you need a permit to use a drone – you must get it before you arrive.
Fossicking
Fossicking, including the use of metal detectors, is not permitted in Arltunga Historical Reserve.
However, you can fossick in the adjoining fossicking reserve if you have a current NT fossickers permit. Permits are available from the Fossicking in the Northern Territory website.
Ranger Station – 08 8956 9770.
[Source – https://nt.gov.au/leisure/parks-reserves/find-a-park/find-a-park-to-visit/arltunga-historical-reserve ]
Camping
We stayed at Ross River Camp Ground
Cost – $30 per night for two people in an unpowered site (June 2020)
Pros – Grassy sites, fire pits, clean toilets and showers. Washing machines.
Cons – no noise restrictions. We saw no signs asking people to keep their noise to a minimum after a certain time. Hence, two of the three nights we had a large group of people party until after 0300 (am). So if you want to party until all hours of the morning this is the place for you!… in that case it is a “Pro”, LOL
Our verdict – Good location to explore N’Dhala Gorge, Trepina Gorge and Arltunga Historial Reserve. Good to be able to have a fire.
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