This Aboriginal community lives on the site of a former mission station established by German Lutherans in 1877. In keeping with the religious zeal of the period the missionaries established a church, school and other facilities. 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. In 1982 the mission and its land was returned to the Arrernte people. Visitors are restricted to the shop, petrol station and historic precinct.
Visitor Information
Ntaria Supermarket; (08) 8956 7480
