REGIONS

Barkly and Tennant Creek

Big country, deep history, and skies you won't forget.

Swim

Wildlife

Cultural Experiences

Dry Season

Rough around the edges. Unforgettable for it.

The Barkly is one of those places that gets under your skin. Sitting at the geographic crossroads of the Northern Territory, this is big sky country — wide open, unhurried, and genuinely unlike anywhere else in Australia.

Tennant Creek is the beating heart of the region.


One of the NT's oldest towns, it carries deep cultural significance for the Warumungu people and sits along the legendary Stuart Highway, making it a natural base for travellers crossing between Darwin and Alice Springs.

This isn't a tick-and-go destination.


The Barkly rewards those who slow down — whether that's walking a heritage trail, fossicking for gold, watching the Milky Way unfold across a cloudless sky, or driving the Tablelands and understanding just how vast this country really is.

Top things to do in the Barkley Region

Explore the Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre and connect with the living culture of the Warumungu people

Stop at the Tennant Creek Telegraph Station, a fascinating piece of living history from Australia's pioneering era,

Visit Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve (Karlu Karlu) and see one of the Territory's most remarkable natural landmarks at sunrise or sunset

Drive the Barkly Highway and take in the extraordinary scale of the Barkly Tablelands, one of Australia's great cattle country landscapes

Spend a night under a proper outback sky — the stargazing in this part of the NT is world class.

  • Local tip!

    Timing matters in the Barkly. The dry season (May to September) brings cooler days, clear skies, and perfect conditions for driving, fossicking, and outdoor exploration. If you're doing the Stuart Highway run between Darwin and Alice, budget at least a full day in Tennant Creek — it's worth far more than a quick fuel stop.


  • What not to miss?

    Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) at golden hour. The ancient granite boulders — sacred to local Aboriginal people — glow red and orange in the late afternoon light in a way that's genuinely hard to put into words. Get there early for sunrise or stay for sunset. Either way, allow time to just take it in.


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Who can I ask for help?

Find about more about what's happening in Red Centre

  • Visit Discover the Barkly for travel information, itineraries, and local visitor guides for the region
  • Stop into the Tennant Creek Visitor Information Centre at Battery Hill Mining Centre on Peko Road for on-the-ground advice from locals who know the region best
  • Call the Visitor Information Centre direct on (08) 8962 1281

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Learn from the locals

Get valuable insights from articles written by locals

A close up of a rock wall with a painting on it.
By Justine David January 1, 2026
Delve into the ancient world of Aboriginal rock art, where millennia-old stories are etched onto the rugged landscapes ! In this article, we present the top places where you can immerse yourself into this culturally rich heritage of the First Nations people.
By Michael Hawkes October 13, 2023
Are you planning a family trip to Alice Springs and wondering how to keep everyone entertained? This desert town in the heart of Australia's Red Centre offers a wealth of family-friendly activities for kids of all ages.
By Michael Hawkes September 23, 2023
Explore our favourite things to do in Alice Springs, including art, culture, wildlife, sunsets and more.
By Michael Hawkes August 18, 2023
The rugged desert landscape sets the scene for an unparalleled riding adventure, offering a mix of technical single tracks and scenic cross-country paths.
A group of people are swimming in a canyon.
By Michael Hawkes July 13, 2023
Against the expectations of many visitors, the Red Centre hides a wealth of stunning locations for a refreshing swim.
A group of people are sitting on the grass at a festival.
By Stephanie Rousset March 17, 2023
It's all happening in Alice in April. Find out what's on over Easter and the school holidays in the Red Centre.
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