Regions

Tennant Creek is a town located in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is the fifth largest town in the Northern Territory and it is located on the Stuart Highway, just south of the intersection with the western terminus of the Barkly Highway.

The Top End region of Australia’s Northern Territory is renowned for its tropical weather, rich Indigenous culture, national parks and fantastic, laid-back lifestyle. It is home to an eclectic mix of cultures whose outdoor lifestyle is complemented by brilliant sunsets, fantastic fishing and a colourful calendar of outdoor events.

The region itself encompasses an area that includes the breathtaking World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, the cooling waterfalls of Litchfield National Park, majestic gorges of Nitmiluk National Park in Katherine, culturally rich Arnhem Land and the Tiwi Islands, and wetlands teeming with wildlife. While much of this vast area may be remote, is still highly accessible.

You can explore the Top End independently or as part of a tour, take a scenic flight over the wetlands and escarpments of Kakadu, cruise through ancient sandstone gorges in Nitmiluk National Park on a boast or by kayak, take a four-wheel drive and go off-road, or get up close with nature on a Top End bushwalk. The magical Top End provides an endless array of unique experiences, making it the perfect destination to encounter wondrous nature and culture.

Located between Alice Springs and Katherine with Tennant Creek its Golden Heart, the Barkly is synonymous with the cattle industry. The rich grassland of the Barkly Tableland has seen the rise of many of Australia’s premier cattle stations, and the characters that work them are an integral part of the Barkly community.

The traditional owners of the area surrounding Tennant Creek are the Warumungu people and their culture is very much alive and well. Their stories are showcased in one of Australia's finest cultural centres, Nyinkka Nyunyu, situated in Tennant Creek.

Mining is another large contributor to what makes this area unique. It all started in the 1930’s when gold was discovered, setting off Australia’s last gold rush. The history of this area remains and is captured at the Battery Hill Mining Centre. There is still plenty of gold to be found, and mining remains an vital part of the region’s economy.

The Aboriginal culture, cattle stations and mining shaped the people and lives of those that reside in the Barkly, and it’s the people that will make your journey such a memorable one. Stay a while and discover the local’s passion for this special place.