Barrow Creek
Town
Although its appearance today is that of a small wayside stop on the highway, Barrow Creek was originally an important telegraph station. It was also the site of an 1874 punitive expedition against the Kaytej people by police after a telegraph station master and linesman were killed during an assault by 20 Kaytej men. This attack (thought to have been a reaction to the abuse of an Aboriginal woman) is the only known planned attack on staff of the Overland Telegraph.
Visitor Information
Barrow Creek Hotel; (08) 8956 9753
Nearby national parks
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Davenport Range National Park
The network of permanent waterholes in Davenport Range National Park has provided a refuge for animals and birds and Aboriginal people for...more -
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
Nearby towns
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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 -
Wauchope
Wauchope (pronounced 'walk-up') was established to cater for the wolfram-mining and cattle-farming communities nearby. Today it is a...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
In Town
Old Telegraph Station This restored stone building (1872) is set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Forster Ranges. It is 1 of 15 telegraph stations that formed the original network from Port Augusta to Port Darwin. A key is available from the hotel for those who wish to look inside. Stuart Hwy.Barrow Creek Hotel: outback pub (1932), with original bar, cellar and tin ceilings, and memorabilia of the area on display; Stuart Hwy. Cemetery: graves of early settlers and local characters; information available at the hotel.
Eco-friendly activities around town
Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre 208 km
This centre, situated in Paterson Street, incorporates an Aboriginal art gallery and museum. As well as great art and information about the Indigenous people of the Tennant Creek area, there are bush-tucker tours and... Find out moreAlice Springs walking tour 243 km
Take Foot Falcon’s two-hour walking tour around Alice Springs, learning about the history and culture of the region with long-term Alice Springs resident, teacher, writer and historian, Linda Wells. A highlight of... Find out moreGolf courses around town
Alice Springs Golf Club 245 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
Barrow Creek Hotel camping area 4 km
Slap-bang on the Stuart Hwy, about 290 km north of Alice Springs, this historic building was the earliest hotel constructed along the north-south road between Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. Its original features... Find out moreTi-Tree Roadhouse camping area 86 km
Although mainly a stop for people passing through, Ti-Tree has a few activities in the local area, including a mango farm, ti-tree farm, grape farm, gem prospecting and an Aboriginal art gallery. The roadhouse has a... Find out moreWycliffe Well Holiday Park 86 km
One wonders if the fact that this is one of the highest ranking sites for reported UFO activity in the world has anything to do with the huge range of beers on offer. This well-catered park, with 24 ha of parkland, has... Find out moreWauchope Hotel camping area 101 km
Just 8 km from the Devils Marbles, 114 km south of Tennant Creek, this historic pub and roadhouse dates back to the 1930s. You can hire bikes and ride to the Devils Marbles, lounge around the pool, or enjoy the other... Find out moreDevils Marbles camping area 110 km
The simple camping area is 1 km east of the highway, with signposted access 9 km north of Wauchope. No generators are allowed, bring in your own firewood and water, and note that dogs are only permitted in the campground... Find out moreWhistleduck Creek camping area 132 km
A 4WD is not essential but recommended to reach this site, and the road may be unsuitable in wet weather. Camping facilities are limited and you’ll need to bring your own firewood and drinking water. From the... Find out moreAileron Roadhouse camping area 138 km
As well as all the necessaries, such as fuel and supplies, this roadhouse has an Aboriginal art gallery, pool, bar and barbecue picnic area. It’s found 135 km north of Alice Springs, and you can’t really miss... Find out moreAnnas Reservoir camping area 143 km
There are no facilities for camping, but the recommended camping area is 200 m before the ruins of the station homestead and blacksmith’s hut.... Find out moreFrew River camping area 156 km
This isolated spot is on the 4WD rough-and-ready 17 km Frew River Loop, and is recommended for dry weather only. The campsite is 5 km from the Old Police Station Waterhole camping area.... Find out moreOld Police Station Waterhole camping area 157 km
This waterhole is great for swimming if the water levels are up, but beware of submerged logs and rocks. A 4WD is recommended to reach the campsite, and the road may be unsuitable in wet weather. Campsites here are... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Wycliffe Well Holiday Park 86 km
This park is 130 km south of Tennant Creek and an ideal stopover on this highway. The quality of the park, complete with a restaurant and a dam stocked with fish, is greater than one would expect here. There are also the... Find out moreTi Tree Roadhouse Caravan Park 86 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 moreOutback Caravan Park 208 km
This large, well-appointed park is just 1 km from the town centre in a convenient off-thehighway position. We find it an ideal base for a few days while exploring this interesting area. The extensive facilities include a... Find out moreWintersun Cabin and Caravan Park 241 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 moreG'day Mate Tourist Park 247 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 moreMacDonnell Range Holiday Park 247 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 247 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 moreRest areas around town
Taylor Creek Rest Area 36 km
39 km N of Barrow Creek (R) or 51 km S of Wycliffe Well (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S21 14.841 E134 06.899... Find out moreStuart Monument Rest Area 66 km
21 km N of Ti Tree (L) or 69 km S of Barrow Creek (R) Large area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S21 57.606 E133 29.818... Find out moreDevils Marbles Camp Area 110 km
T/O 9 km N of Wauchope (R) or 105 km S of Tennant Creek (L) Large secluded area located 1 kilometre east of the highway among unusual granite boulder formations in Devils Marbles Conservation Park. Good facilities. ... Find out moreBonney Well Rest Area 124 km
24 km N of Wauchope (L) or 90 km S of Tennant Creek (R) Large area adjacent to the highway at a windmill site. Limited shade. GPS: S20 25.763 E134 14.786... Find out moreProwse Gap Rest Area 128 km
148 km N of Alice Springs (L) or 46 km S of Ti Tree (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S22 31.852 E133 19.749... Find out more
