Arltunga Bush Hotel
Town
Arltunga 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 December to 1 March) 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
Nearby national parks
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West MacDonnell National Park
The weathered MacDonnell Ranges rise abruptly from the flat terrain of central Australia, an ancient landscape of parallel ridges sculptured...more -
Rainbow Valley National Park
To catch a sunset or sunrise at Rainbow Valley Conservation Reserve is one of the great outback experiences – the coloured bands of...more -
Finke Gorge National Park
Finke Gorge National Park straddles the often-dry Finke River, the oldest watercourse in the world, which meanders 400 kilometres before it...more
Nearby towns
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Alice Springs
Located on the Todd River in the MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs is almost 1500 kilometres from the nearest capital city. In 1871 Overland...more -
Aileron
The highlight of the year at this popular rest stop on the Stuart Highway is the annual cricket match between local grape farmers and...more -
Ti Tree
This rest stop on the Stuart Highway took its name from nearby Ti Tree Wells, the source of plentiful sweet water in the 1800s. Today the...more
Nearby
N'Dhala Gorge Nature Park The shady gorge features extensive walking tracks that provide access to a large number of rock-art sites with carvings and paintings, including more than 6000 petroglyphs. The carvings are of 2 distinct types – finely pecked and heavily pounded – and are thought to represent 2 different periods. There are also rare plants in the park such as the peach-leafed poison bush and the undoolya wattle. Access by 4WD only. 53 km SW.Arltunga Historical Reserve: ruins of Arltunga, some of which have been restored, including police station and gaol, mines and the Government Battery and Cyanide Works (1896). The visitor centre has displays on the history of the town; behind the hotel. Ruby Gap Nature Park: the site of Central Australia's first mining rush, in 1886, when rubies were thought to have been found. After the stones proved to be relatively valueless garnets the boom went bust and people left. The stunning gorges are now popular sites for bushwalking and camping. Track closures possible Nov–Apr due to wet conditions; 37 km E. Trephina Gorge Nature Park: known for its sheer quartzite cliffs, red river gums and sandy creek bed. Several waterholes attract native wildlife and provide a beautiful setting for bushwalking, swimming, camping and picnicking; 43 km W.
Eco-friendly activities around town
Alice Springs Telegraph Station 86 km
As well as visiting the heritage sites in the historical reserve, go for a walk along one of the tracks, where rock-wallabies and other wildlife can often be seen. It is also a nice spot for a picnic and free electric... Find out moreWalking the Larapinta Trail 201 km
Now known as one of the best arid-zone treks in the world, the 220-kilometre Larapinta Trail goes from Alice Springs to Mount Sonder, and can be done in 12–15 days by experienced hikers. Walkers are advised to use... Find out moreGolf courses around town
Alice Springs Golf Club 87 km
Early in the morning or late in the day are the best times to witness the colourful splendour of a round at Alice Springs, Australia’s only true desert course of championship standard. The beautifully maintained... Find out moreCampsites around town
Ruby Gap camping area (bush camping) 29 km
There are no camping facilities, but plenty of nice spots dispersed along the river between the park entrance and Ruby Gap. There are also no walking tacks, but experienced walkers can follow the riverbed upstream to... Find out moreN’Dhala Gorge camping area 30 km
Take the Ross Highway for about 90 km east of Alice Springs and then the turn-off to the right to Ross River Homestead. After the homestead, there is 11 km of 4WD track to get to the gorge and the track becomes... Find out moreTrephina Gorge Campground 30 km
Take one of the great walks from this pleasant campground at the end of the unsealed road that is suitable for conventional vehicles.... Find out moreTrephina Bluff Campground 31 km
Set on Trephina Creek, about 1 km before the Gorge campground at the end of the unsealed road, this site is unsuitable for trailers or caravans.... Find out moreJohn Hayes Rockhole Campground 35 km
A popular swimming spot in summer, this site is accessible only by 4WD or via the walking trail. Bring in your own drinking water to the campground.... Find out moreGemtree Caravan Park 71 km
The primary reason to camp at Gemtree, 70 km east of the Stuart Hwy on the Plenty Hwy, is the great fossicking in gemfields of garnet and zircon. Fossicking tours can be booked, but only by prior arrangement in the... Find out moreMacDonnell Range Holiday Park 88 km
Hire a bike here and cycle into town, or the kids can enjoy the peddle-powered go-carts, BMX track, half-court basketball and jumping pillows on site. As well as villas, cabins, ensuite powered sites and unpowered sites,... Find out moreAlice Springs Heritage Caravan and Tourist Park 89 km
Although a little out of the main part of Alice, this 4-star park is in a peaceful location near an old date farm. It has a cracking great pool, shade trees and even includes a library. Head south out of Alice Springs on... Find out moreWallaby Gap camping area (section 1) 94 km
Just 300 m from Wallaby Gap, this site is 13 km west of Telegraph Station.... Find out moreBush camping area (section 2) 109 km
The suggested bush-camping site is 10 km west of Simpsons Gap.... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Wintersun Cabin and Caravan Park 86 km
Located on the north side of Alice Springs, this place offers pleasant, grassy sites with shade. It is a quality park with good access to the Stuart Highway. Bookings are required in the winter months.... Find out moreMacDonnell Range Holiday Park 88 km
Enjoy a delicious, free pancake breakfast every Sunday morning at this large, quality park. It has numerous activities during the tourist season (April to October), including nightly talks on the stars, bush tucker and... Find out moreHeritage Caravan Park 89 km
If you are travelling to Alice Springs with your pet dog then this is the park for you. It is the only dog park in town. There is a full range of facilities, a large well-stocked shop and a huge swimming pool. Bookings... Find out moreG'day Mate Tourist Park 89 km
This tidy compact park with good facilities is a suitable base for exploring Alice Springs. It does not have the tourist-season activities of some other parks and this is reflected in the price. Bookings are required in... Find out moreTi Tree Roadhouse Caravan Park 197 km
The Ti Tree area supports large commercial orchards and vegetable crops. This is a great place to stop if travelling on the Stuart Highway. The complex includes a licensed bar, motel rooms, backpacker accommodation and... Find out moreDesert Oaks Resort 244 km
Erldunda is an important service centre strategically located at the junction of the Stuart and Lasseter highways. This is a good quality park and is an excellent overnight stop. The facilities include a tennis court and... Find out moreRest areas around town
Connor Well Rest Area 130 km
95 km N of Alice Springs (L) or 99 km S of Ti Tree (R) Large area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S22 57.049 E133 32.603 ... Find out morePol Hill Rest Area 135 km
141 km N of Erldunda (L) or 59 km S of Alice Springs (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S24 06.477 E133 33.493... Find out more
