Things to do in Tennant Creek, Northern Territory: Best attractions
The best things to do in Tennant Creek include learning about Indigenous heritage at the Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Cultural Centre. You can also take in the views from the Bill Allen Lookout and relive the gold rush days at the Battery Hill Mining Centre.
Tennant Creek is the largest town on the largely empty drive up the Stuart Highway from Alice Springs to Katherine. The sheer distances involved in traversing the NT mean many people will end up staying the night in Tennant Creek, even if they don’t particularly want to.
Book in advance for the best rates on Tennant Creek accommodation.
Alas, Tennant Creek can be a rather bleak-feeling place. But it is not entirely without appeal.
Things to do in Tennant Creek: Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Cultural Centre
Things to do in Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, include visiting the Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Cultural Centre.
This is part Aboriginal art gallery, part educational insight into the cultural traditions of the local Indigenous people.
Things to do in Tennant Creek, NT: Battery Hill Mining Centre
For history post-European arrival, the Battery Hill Mining Centre tells of the 1930s gold rush that led to the town being established in the first place. Continue about 1km along Peko Road and you’ll reach the Bill Allen Lookout. This lookout offers 360 degree panoramic views of the town and surrounding outback. It’s the best place to visit if treating Tennant Creek as a quick photo stop.
What to do in Tennant Creek: Telegraph Station
For more history, the Tennant Creek Telegraph Station is even older. You can do a self-guided tour around the site, which played a crucial part in linking Australia to the rest of the world.
For outdoor attractions, the man-made Tingkarlie/ Lake Mary Ann is a good spot for swimming or a picnic.
But the main attraction in the region – Karlu Karlu/ The Devil’s Marbles – is a 96km drive to the south of Tennant Creek.
Tennant Creek accommodation
Tennant Creek accommodation options include the personality-packed Safari Lodge Motel and the functional Goldfields Hotel Motel.
More Northern Territory travel
Have a beer or seven in the Daly Waters Pub at the end of the Tennant Creek to Daly Waters drive.
Stop at Threeways Roadhouse on the drive from Mount Isa to Tennant Creek.
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Feast at the Mataranka Homestead on the drive from Daly Waters to Katherine.
Take the Tiwi Islands ferry from Darwin to Bathurst Island for an Aboriginal cultural tour.