Wauchope
Town
Wauchope (pronounced 'walk-up') was established to cater for the wolfram-mining and cattle-farming communities nearby. Today it is a service town and tourist destination thanks to its proximity to the popular Devils Marbles.
Visitor Information
Wauchope Hotel, Stuart Hwy; (08) 8964 1963
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
Nearby towns
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Barrow Creek - Introduction
Although its appearance today is that of a small wayside stop on the highway, Barrow Creek was originally an important telegraph station....more -
Tennant Creek
Tennant Creek is midway between Alice Springs and Katherine and according to legend, emerged when a beer truck broke down here. Gold was...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
In Town
Wauchope Hotel Once catering to workers at the old Wolfram Mines, this desert oasis now offers fuel, meals (licensed restaurant and takeaway), various standards of accommodation and an adjacent campground. The walls of the pub are adorned with signed bank notes (a 'bush bank' where customers pin deposits to the wall to be retrieved on a later visit) and photographs of patrons. The landscaped beer garden features native birdlife including Bill the talking cockatoo. Stuart Hwy.
Nearby
Wycliffe Well This roadhouse was the first in the NT to be allowed to sell water (at a penny a gallon). Once a market garden supplying troops during WW II, it now features pleasant picnic lawns surrounding Wycliffe Lake. The area is said to be at a cross-section of energy lines and has had many alleged UFO sightings (ranked 5th in the world for the number of sightings). Wycliffe Well also claims to have Australia's largest range of beers, but any connection between that and the UFO sightings is yet to be proven. Accommodation available. 17 km S.Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu): an iconic outback destination, where massive red and orange boulders sit precariously atop each other in a broad desert playground; legend has it that they are the eggs of the Rainbow Serpent. A network of informal tracks meanders through the rock formations; 8 km N. Davenport Range National Park: isolated area with important Aboriginal heritage and waterhole ecology sites; high clearance vehicles or 4WD access only; advise travel plans at the Wauchope Hotel; (08) 8962 4599; 118 km E.
Eco-friendly activities around town
Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre 110 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 moreCampsites around town
Devils Marbles camping area 9 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 moreWycliffe Well Holiday Park 17 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 moreWhistleduck Creek camping area 58 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 moreFrew River camping area 101 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 101 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 moreBarrow Creek Hotel camping area 104 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 moreOutback Caravan Park 110 km
Explore the region’s 4WD tracks, and Aboriginal and European history from a base in this park, which is renowned for its tropical gardens, shaded swimming pool and spa. The park has cabins as well as powered and... Find out moreThree Ways Roadhouse camping area 133 km
Three Ways was the winner of the NT 2008 Roadhouse of the Year. From the roadhouse it’s just a 3-minute walk to a memorial commemorating the Reverend John Flynn, legend of the outback and founder of the Royal... Find out moreTi-Tree Roadhouse camping area 185 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 moreCaravan parks around town
Wycliffe Well Holiday Park 17 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 moreOutback Caravan Park 110 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 moreTi Tree Roadhouse Caravan Park 185 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 moreBarkly Homestead Caravan Park 197 km
Forming part of the Barkly Roadhouse complex, this park is an overnight stop 210 km east of Tennant Creek and some 275 km west of the state border with Queensland. We have previously experienced poor service and attitude... Find out moreHotels, motels & B&Bs around town
Wycliffe Well Holiday Park
Wycliffe has the dubious honour of being Australia’s UFO capital, with more sightings in this area than any other in the country. Wycliffe Well Holiday Park has a variety of cabins available, plus an indoor... Find out moreRest areas around town
Bonney Well Rest Area 24 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 moreTaylor Creek Rest Area 68 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 moreLake Mary Ann Park Area 114 km
T/O 4 km N of Tennant Creek (R) or 21 km S of Three Ways (L) Pleasant picnic area 1.7 kilometres off the highway at the lake. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S19 36.511 E134 12.682... Find out more
