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Hermannsburg

Lutheran Church, Tourism NT

Population 555

This Aboriginal community lives on the site of a former mission station established by German Lutherans in 1877. During the first 14 years, they recorded the Arrernte language and culture, compiled an Arrernte dictionary and translated the New Testament into the local language. From 1894 to 1922 the mission was run by Pastor Carl Strehlow, who restored and constructed most of the extant buildings. His son, T. G. H. Strehlow, assembled a vast collection of anthropological items relating to the Arrernte way of life. Renowned artist Albert Namatjira, the first Aboriginal to paint landscapes in a European style, was born at the mission in 1902, and produced art under the acclaimed Hermannsburg School. In 1982 the mission and its land was returned to the Arrernte. Visitors are restricted to the shop, petrol station and historic precinct.

Visitor Information

Ntaria Supermarket; (08) 8956 7480

www.hermannsburg.com.au

Nearby national parks

  • 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

  • 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

Nearby towns

  • Glen Helen Resort

    This small homestead-style resort is an excellent base for exploring the superb scenery of Glen Helen Gorge and other attractions in West...more

  • 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

  • Kings Canyon Resort

    Kings Canyon Resort, in Watarrka National Park, is an excellent base from which to explore the region. It has various standards of...more

In Town

Historic precinct The National Heritage–listed mission site comprises about 13 main buildings, mostly stone, the earliest dating from 1877 but generally from the period 1897–1910. They include Strehlow's House (1879), home of the pastor in charge of the mission and now Kata-Anga Tea Rooms with a reputation for delicious apple strudel; old manse (1888), currently a watercolour gallery housing work by Aboriginal artists of the Hermannsburg school (guided tours available); old schoolhouse (1896); tannery (1941); and Old Colonists House (1885), now a museum displaying historic items from the missionary era.

Nearby

Finke Gorge National Park For millions of years the Finke River has carved its way through the weathered ranges, creating red-hued gorges and wide valleys. There are astonishing rock formations and dry creek beds that wind through sandstone ravines, where rare flora flourishes. The park's most famous feature, Palm Valley, is a refuge for about 3000 red cabbage palms (Livistona mariae), which are found nowhere else in the world. The 46 000 ha area is great for bushwalking: a 1.5 km climb leads to Kalarranga Lookout for views of the amazing Amphitheatre rock; the 5 km Mpaara Walk with informative signs explains the mythology of Western Arrernte culture; and the 2 km Arankaia Walk passes through the lush oasis of Palm Valley. Park access by 4WD only. (08) 8951 8290; 20 km S.Monument to Albert Namatjira: a 6 m red sandstone memorial to the legendary artist; Larapinta Dr; 2 km E. Wallace Rockhole Aboriginal community: cultural tours and camping; 46 km SE.

Eco-friendly activities around town

Walking the Larapinta Trail 35 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 more


Alice Springs walking tour 116 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 more


Golf courses around town

Alice Springs Golf Club 115 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 more


Campsites around town

Palm Valley camping area 13 km

The main campground has good facilities and is 22 km south of Hermannsburg. You will need to bring your own firewood or use the gas barbecues. Many sites are situated under the trees along Palm Creek, which usually has... Find out more


Boggy Hole camping area (bush camping) 23 km

You can fish and swim here, but there are no facilities and generators are not allowed. It is on the Finke River 4WD route, 33 km south of Larapinta Dr.... Find out more


Serpentine Chalet camping area 26 km

This 4WD-access camping area is off Namatjira Dr. No generators are allowed here and you need to bring firewood, a gas stove and drinking water. Quiet and secluded, yet easily accessed from Namatjira Dr, this area... Find out more


Serpentine Chalet Dam camping area (section 8) 27 km

This walk-in bush campsite is accessible to vehicles that are supporting people walking the Larapinta Trail, but not to vehicles of other campers.... Find out more


Bush camping areas (section 9) 28 km

There are 2 bush-camping sites in this section, 11 km west of Inarlanga Pass in the gorge and 2 km west on the ridgetop near the lookout.... Find out more


Serpentine Gorge camping area (section 7) 29 km

This trailhead is 14 km west of Ellery Creek Big Hole. The campsite is walk-in only, located about 500 m along the trail from the carpark to the gorge. The view from the lookout further along this trail is quite... Find out more


2 Mile 4WD camping area 31 km

This very basic site has no facilities, and access is by 4WD only. 4WD access to these bush camping sites is north of Namatjira Dr between the Glen Helen Resort access and the Finke River crossing. After heavier rains... Find out more


Ormiston Gorge camping area (section 10) 35 km

This popular campsite can be reached by conventional vehicles and has good facilities. The site is 7 km off Namatjira Dr, 128 km west of Alice Springs. A number of walking trails start and finish here, including the... Find out more


Ellery Creek Big Hole camping area (section 6) 35 km

A popular campsite for those not hiking the Larapinta Trail, this is accessible to conventional vehicles. The site is signposted off Namatjira Dr, 88 km west of Alice Springs. Bring your own drinking water and note that... Find out more


Wallace Rockhole Tourist Park camping area 37 km

Take part in dot-painting workshops and Aboriginal rock-art tours at this cosy campground nestled among trees that provide reasonable shade in summer. You will need to bring your own firewood. Signposted off the... Find out more


Caravan parks around town

Kings Creek Station 110 km

Located 39 km from Kings Canyon, this large camping area on a cattle station caters solely for tourists and has a restaurant and numerous sites in bush settings. There are numerous activities including camel rides,... Find out more


G'day Mate Tourist Park 113 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 more


Heritage Caravan Park 114 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 more


MacDonnell Range Holiday Park 114 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 more


Wintersun Cabin and Caravan Park 115 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 more


Kings Canyon Resort 133 km

This is a very good resort and caravan park located about 7 km from Kings Canyon. The resort has a range of accommodation, a restaurant and a well-stocked roadhouse. Bookings are required in peak periods. Pets are... Find out more


Desert Oaks Resort 146 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 more


Ti Tree Roadhouse Caravan Park 211 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 more


Ayers Rock Campground 231 km

This is a large campground with a beautiful lawn area for campers and a separate caravan and motorhome section. The park has clean amenities, a great camp kitchen and a pool, and is within walking distance of... Find out more


Eco-friendly places to stay around town

Kings Canyon 111 km

Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge, run by APT on Kings Creek Station adjacent Watarrka National Park, has luxury tented cabins that are partly run on solar power. Kings Creek Station itself has a range of camping sites and... Find out more


Uluru and Kata Tjuta 232 km

In terms of accommodation providers, options are very limited at Uluru and camping is not permitted in the park, but thankfully Ayers Rock Resort has been developed with a wide variety of options, from five-star luxury... Find out more


Rest areas around town

Finke River Rest Area 80 km

75 km N of Erldunda (R) or 125 km S of Alice Springs (L) Small area just off the highway on the banks of the river. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S24 33.10 E133 14.40... Find out more


Pol Hill Rest Area 81 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


Desert Oaks Rest Area 115 km

33 km N of Erldunda (L) or 167 km S of Alice Springs (R) Large area just off the highway at the base of a large sand hill. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S24 54.246 E133 11.794... Find out more


Connor Well Rest Area 135 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 more


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