Arltunga

Arltunga is located on the 5 000 hectare Arltunga Historical Reserve. The Arltunga Historical Reserve was established in 1975 and since then there has been a systematic attempt to restore and maintain the existing buildings. At Arltunga Historical Reserve you'll find a complete ghost town - with the remains of mines, mining camps and stone buildings. The police station and gaol have been completely restored and there are even old mines you can walk through.

Arltunga was officially central Australia's first town, born out of a gold rush after alluvial gold was discovered amongst a dusty and dry creekbed during 1887. It was a hectic little goldmining town and it's historical heyday lasted from the first gold strike in 1887 until 1913. The fortune seekers of the day of the nations of the world had to travel 600 kilometres from the Oodnadatta railhead, often on foot which seemed to take for ever, to seek their fortune in the harsh central Australian environment. Arltunga once supported some 300 people. At the time, Alice Springs consisted of just the Overland Telegraph Station, and was little more than an outpost that had expanded as it became the supply base of Arltunga. Mining activity continued in the area for 30 years.

To reach Arltunga in the 1880s a person would need to walk or ride alongside the Overland Telegraph Line from Oodnadatta in South Australia to Alice Springs in Northern Territory, then follow the East MacDonnell Ranges eastwardly for another 120 km. This would take at well over a week and often or not much longer in temperatures which often exceeded 40°C during the mid of the day.

How to Get There

Located 110km east of Alice Springs, the Reserve can be easily reached in 2WD vehicles. After 70km of sealed road along the Ross Highway there is a formed gravel road which leads north east for 33km to Arltunga. (Note: gravel road surface conditions do vary and roads may be impassable when wet).

Recommend you book ahead to know what's currently opened or planned and to avoid missing out


Arltunga Hotel
Arltunga Tourist Dve Arltunga NT 0870

Dec 2021. There has been a name change and new facilities installed.
For current info please visit our website www.arltunga.com.au

Caravan Parks
Arltunga Outback Tourist Park
Arltunga Tourist Dve Arltunga NT 0870

Camping - Camping is not permitted on the Reserve. A camping ground with facilities, including showers, is available at the Arltunga Bush Hotel. Pets are not allowed in this park.

Arltunga Bush Pub & Eco Retreat
Mobile 040808 1239
Email info@arltunga.com.au
Web https://www.arltunga.com.au/

Arltunga Bush Pub and Eco Retreat is the perfect place to base yourself to explore what the amazing East MacDonnell Range has to offer. Immerse yourself in pioneering history, visit Ruby Gorge, explore outback Australia, and try your luck at gold fossicking.

The Goholi
Our Mission Statement

As one of Australia's largest licensed Travel Agents Goholi is dedicated to campervan and motorhome hire and rentals. We will source the different options for you. We will look at all the extras and find the best vehicle package for you or even a multiple option for you to choose from. With our head Office in the heartland of the Top End of Darwin we can advise you of the current situations of Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park - Ayers Rock, Watarrka National Park, West MacDonnell Ranges, East MacDonnell Ranges, Kakadu National Park, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Gibb River Road Western Australia and the - Erldunda - Kulgera - Oodnadatta Track - Coober Pedy (Opal field) - Woomera - Port Augusta areas.

East MacDonnell National Park and West MacDonnell National Park
in the MacDonnell Ranges in Northern Territory, Central Australia
A tourist selfdrive tourist guide and travel information

East MacDonnell National Park and West MacDonnell National Park in Central Australia
• West MacDonnell Map • West MacDonnell National Park • East MacDonnell National-Park
• East MacDonnell Map

West MacDonnell National Park and surrounding areas
• Larapinta Trail • Glen Helen Gorge • Glen Helen Lodge accommodation • Ellery Creek Big Hole • Ochre Pits • Ormiston Gorge • Redbank Gorge Waterhole • Roma Gorge • Serpentine Chalet • Serpentine Gorge • Simpsons Gap • Standley Chasm • Honeymoon Gap • Palm Valley

• Albert Namatjiras Monument • Namatjira Drive • Namatjira Twin Gums • Hermannsburg • Ghost Gum • Wallace Rockhole • Palm Valley

East MacDonnell National Park and surrounding areas
• Arltunga Historical Reserve and hotel or camping • Trephina Gorge • Emily Jessie Gap • Corroboree Rock • Ross River Resort • Ruby Gap • N'Dhala Gorge Nature Reserve • Gemtree • Chambers Pillar • Rainbow Valley

Other Highways, Scenic Routes, Ways, offroad 4wd Tracks and Roads in Central Australia
• The Mereenie Loop • Red Centre Way • Explorers Way • Stuart Highway • Ernest Giles Road • Namatjira Drive • Larapinta Drive • Luritja Road • Lasseter Highway • Binns Track

Top End - Natures Way in Northern Territory Australia
• Darwin • Tropical Darwin • Map of Northern Territory • Katherine Gorge • Tennant Creek • Devils Marbles • Kakadu National Park • Natures Way Top End • Katherine Gorge • Litchfield National Park

Alice Springs and Uluru and on the way
• Alice Springs • Alice Springs Airport • The Ghan Alice Springs • Alice Springs Heavitree Gap • Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park • Uluru Ayers Rock • Ayers Rock Resort at Yulara • Voyages Resort at Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara • Ayers Rock Airport 'Connellan Airport' • Kata Tjuta 'The Olgas' • Sounds of Silence dinner • Mount Sonder • Mount Connnor • Mount Ebenezer • Curtin Springs • Stuarts Well • Erldunda

Kings Canyon
• Watarrka National Park • Kings Canyon • Kings Creek Station • Kings Canyon Resort • Glen Helen Lodge accommodation

Remote access sites
• Henbury Meteorites Conservation Reserve • Gosse Bluff Tnorala Tylers Pass • Haasts Bluff - lkuntji

Alice Springs camper hire and Alice Springs motorhome rentals return and one way
• Alice Springs campervan hire and camper rentals
• Alice Springs motorhome hire and RV rentals

Alice Springs 4wd hire | Alice Springs 4 wheel drive rentals | Alice Springs 4X4 hire
• 4WD Hire from Alice Springs with oneways to Darwin

Uluru guided camping tours and Kakadu guided camping safaris
• Across Australia Adventure Tours at http://www.australia4tours.com/
• Uluru Northern Territory www.uluruadventuretours.com
• Kakadu Northern Territory adventure tours and safaris at www.kakaduadventuretours.com
• Way outback Ayers Rock adventure tours and safaris at www.ulurusafaris.com
• Way outback Kakadu and Litchfield adventure tours and safaris at www.kakadusafaris.com
• Instant availability on Kakadu and Top End one day tours www.kakaduholidays.com/
• Instant availability on Darwin one day tours www.darwin4tours.com/

Search, find and about West MacDonnell National Park and East MacDonnell National Park the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia a resource travel guide.