Arltunga, a goldmining town that sprang up in the late 1800s, was named after a subgroup of the Arrernte people who had lived in the area for at least 22 000 years before Europeans arrived.When gold was discovered in 1887, prospectors travelled 600 kilometres from the Oodnadatta railhead, often on foot, to get there. When the gold ran out the people left and the only remaining signs of life today are the hotel (closed 1 Dec to 1 Mar) and adjoining campground. Ruins of the town have been well-preserved by the dry climate.
Visitor Information
Arltunga Historical Reserve Visitor Centre, (08) 8956 9770; or Arltunga Bush Hotel, (08) 8956 9797
