Woomera
Town
Population 294
Woomera and its testing range were established in 1947 as a site for launching British experimental rockets during the Cold War era. The town was a restricted area until 1982. The Woomera Prohibited Area remains in force today and is still one of the largest land-based rocket ranges in the world. Until 2003, Woomera was the site of a controversial detention centre for refugees. The detainees are now held at the Baxter Detention Centre near Port Augusta.
Visitor Information
Dewrang Ave; (08) 8673 7042 or 1300 761 620
Nearby national parks
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Lake Torrens National Park
The 250-kilometre-long ephemeral Lake Torrens is timeless, wild and starkly photogenic. Protected within Lake Torrens National Park, this is...more -
Lake Gairdner National Park
The vast whiteness of Lake Gairdner rests in the foothills on the northern side of the Gawler Ranges. This is one of the largest salt lakes...more -
Flinders Ranges National Park
Flinders Ranges National Park covers a vast ancient landscape of rippled outback terrain and exposed ridges, culminating in the striking...more
Nearby towns
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Roxby Downs
In 1975 Roxby Downs station was a hard-working property on the red sand dunes of central South Australia. That was until a body of copper...more -
Andamooka
If Queen Elizabeth II had ever been to Andamooka, perhaps she would have thought differently about the Andamooka Opal given to her as a...more -
Leigh Creek
Located in the Flinders Ranges, Leigh Creek is a modern coalmining town that services a huge open-cut mine to the north. The original...more
In Town
Woomera Heritage and Visitor Information Centre: provides a detailed history of the area through videos, exhibitions, rocket relics and photographic displays. It also includes a bowling alley. Tours of the Rocket Range can be booked and depart here; Dewrang Ave. Missile Park: open-air defence display of rockets, aircraft and weapons; cnr Banool and Dewrang aves. Baker Observatory: viewing the night sky through a computer-controlled telescope; contact visitor centre for details.See also Flinders Ranges & Outback, p. 243
Fishing spots near town
Fitzgerald Bay 211 km
Snapper fishing has a language all of its own. In Queensland and NSW, anglers talk about small snapper as ‘squire’. In Victoria, small snapper are ‘pinkies’; in SA, they are known as... Find out moreWhyalla 216 km
Whyalla is snapper central for anglers. Every Easter the Australian Snapper Championships are based here and the top ten snapper weighed in are always over 10 kg. As you would expect with a destination where fishing is... Find out morePoint Lowly 219 km
The Point Lowly lighthouse marks the southern extremity of Fitzgerald Bay. Near the lighthouse is a small community of shacks. These lighthouse cottages are cared for by the Uniting Church, and are available for hire. It... Find out moreEco-friendly activities around town
Arid Recovery Reserve 72 km
Initially a public relations exercise for BHP Billiton’s massive Olympic Dam mine, the Arid Recovery Reserve at Roxby Downs is now an excellent example of how industry, government and the community can work... Find out moreAustralian Arid Lands Botanic Garden 169 km
Located at Port Augusta West (at the head of Spencer Gulf) and spread over 200 hectares, this centre showcases the Australian arid landscapes and their vegetation. There are 12 kilometres of walking tracks, guided tours... Find out moreHeysen Trail 172 km
Some 1200 kilometres long, this renowned walking track stretches from Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula all the way to Parachilna Gorge in the northern Flinders. It covers a vast range of scenery from coastal cliffs... Find out moreDiving with cuttlefish, off Whyalla 215 km
Every year between May and September, thousands of Australian giant cuttlefish converge on the rocky coastline between Fitzgerald Bay and False Bay at Whyalla (on the Eyre Peninsula’s north-east coast) to breed and... Find out moreCampsites around town
Warren Gorge camping area 156 km
A popular haunt for self-sufficient travellers touring the Flinders Ranges, the gorge camping area has eye-catching rock formations and classic groves of native pines to wander. It’s 20 km north-west of Quorn via... Find out moreParachilna Gorge camping area (bush camping) 160 km
The road heading east from Parachilna to Blinman follows Parachilna Gorge as it snakes through the Heysen and ABC ranges. Spectacular summits and rock formations create a memorable atmosphere for the designated bush... Find out moreNuccaleena Mine camping area 162 km
In a historic Flinders Ranges mine site, tucked among the sweep of hills north of Blinman, there are ruins to explore and hills to wander at this camping area on an elevated site near the ruins. Located on PAR 3, 42 km... Find out moreThe Dutchmans Stern camping area (bush camping) 163 km
Bush camping for self-sufficient walkers is provided west of the the Dutchman Range, reached from Arden Vale Rd, 10 km north of Quorn.... Find out moreTeamsters Campground 164 km
Teamsters is at the western entrance to Brachina Gorge, a short walk to some of the steepest and most colourful gorge faces. Located 42 km from Wilpena, it is not far from the Hawker to Leigh Creek road, and suits... Find out moreBrachina Gorge camping area (bush camping) 164 km
Through the twists and turns of the gorge there are several designated nooks for bush camping. Many have fine views of features like Heysen Hill and The Guardian, though in peak sightseeing times there can be a lot of... Find out moreAcraman Campground 166 km
Nestled in the ranges, this site for self-sufficient campers is a handy base for exploring the Heysen Trail, Bunyeroo Gorge and the scenic majesty of Bunyeroo Valley and Wilpena Pound. From the visitor centre it’s... Find out moreAroona Campground 167 km
Close to the historic Aroona Ruins, this site has fine outlooks to the Heysen and ABC ranges. It’s also at the start of the Heysen Trail’s final dash up the beautiful Aroona Valley to Parachilna Gorge.... Find out moreBrachina East Campground 167 km
The gateway to all the Brachina action, this campground for self-sufficient campers is accessible from the east by 2WD and is pleasantly situated on the banks of Brachina Creek. Signposted along Brachina Gorge Rd, 48 km... Find out moreCooinda camping area (walk-in camping) 167 km
A sheltered but no-frills walk-in site is tucked within Wilpena Pound, 12 km from the visitor centre; a permit is required. This camping area serves as a base for bushwalks to St Mary Peak and Edeowie Gorge. The views... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Shoreline Caravan Park 167 km
This park has good facilities in a quiet, offthe- highway location. It has sea frontage and views of the Flinders Ranges. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out morePort Augusta Big4 Holiday Park 167 km
With very good facilities, this place is strategically based at the junction of the Eyre, Princes and Stuart highways. It can get quite busy here, even in the low season. The park is about 1.5 km from the town centre.... Find out moreNuttbush Retreat Caravan Park 168 km
This park adjoins the huge Pandurra sheep and cattle station, 40 km south-west of Port Augusta on the Eyre Highway. The park has very good facilities, including a licensed bar and restaurant.... Find out moreDiscovery Holiday Parks – Whyalla Foreshore 216 km
Now part of the Beston Group, this large park close to town has most amenities for tourists. Bookings are required at Easter.... Find out morePort Pirie Beach Caravan Park 247 km
This beachfront caravan park is just 1.5 km from the town centre and offers a range of facilities to suit most travellers. Nicely angled drive-through sites, clean amenities and friendly staff make this our pick of the... Find out moreEco-friendly places to stay around town
Rawnsley Park Station 175 km
Eight modern strawbale eco-villas with grand views perch on this sheep station, on the southern slopes of Wilpena Pound. Tourism is now the main industry on the property, and the one- and two-bedroom eco-villas are the... Find out moreWillow Springs Station, near Wilpena Pound 186 km
Another working sheep station, Willow Springs on the edge of the national park is home to the legendary six-hour 4WD route Skytrek, passing through Bunkers Conservation Reserve and culminating at the 921-metre-high... Find out moreRest areas around town
Pimba Park Area 7 km
At the roadhouse Large parking area well off the highway. GPS: S31 15.347 E136 48.236 ... Find out moreIsland Lagoon South Rest Area 22 km
155 km N of Port Augusta (L) or 18 km S of Pimba (R) Large parking bay adjacent to the highway. GPS: S31 22.774 E136 55.411... Find out moreIsland Lagoon North Rest Area 23 km
20 km NW of Pimba (L) or 93 km SE of Glendambo (R) Large area adjacent to the highway at the lookout. GPS: S31 15.831 E136 35.945... Find out moreLake Hart Rest Area 41 km
40 km NW of Pimba (R) or 73 km SE of Glendambo (L) Large area just off the highway on the edge of a large salt lake. GPS: S31 14.020 E136 24.309... Find out moreIronstone Lagoon Rest Area 69 km
103 km N of Port Augusta (L) or 70 km S of Pimba (R) Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S31 43.149 E137 13.867... Find out moreRelief Hill Rest Area 87 km
88 km NW of Pimba (R) or 25 km SE of Glendambo (L) Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S31 07.152 E135 55.642... Find out moreGlendambo Park Area 106 km
South end of town Large parking area just off the highway via the service road. GPS: S30 58.321 E135 45.083 ... Find out moreMulga Well Rest Area 131 km
28 km N of Glendambo (R) or 224 km S of Coober Pedy (L) Large area just off the highway. GPS: S30 48.596 E135 32.566 ... Find out moreTent Hill Rest Area 134 km
36 km N of Port Augusta (R) or 137 km S of Pimba (L) Large area just off the highway surrounded by scrub. Limited shade. GPS: S32 14.531 E137 32.759... Find out more
