Northern Territory Cape Crawford of Australia

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Northern Territory » Cape Crawford

Cape Crawford is a remote stop at the junction of the Carpentaria Highway and Tablelands Highway. Despite the first part of its name, Cape Crawford is situated a good 200 kilometres from the ocean. Lindsay Crawford was the drover who discovered a spectacular formation known as the Lost City, in the nearby Abner Ranges in 1880. The Lost City covers an area of about eight square kilometres and is dotted with towering sandstone formations. These natural pillars remind many observers of skyscrapers, and are well worth a visit.

The Tanami Desert
The Tanami Desert, one of the most isolated and arid areas on earth, wasn’t truly explored until well into the twentieth-Century. It is as far from the beaten track as you’re likely to get and strictly the domain of the adventurous and well equipped four-wheel-driver.

Located 643 kilometres north-west of Alice Springs is the beginning of the Tanami Track, the most adventurous and direct route through the desert between Alice Springs and the Kimberley region. Tilmouth Roadhouse is the first stop along the Track. You can experience life on a working cattle station at Tilmouth Well. This oasis on the edge of the Tanami Desert offers tours, recreation and accommodation in a serene outback setting.

Beyond Tilmouth, Yuendumu and Rabbit Flat Roadhouse offer fuel stops and refreshment. One of the Tanami’s newest attractions is the Newhaven Reserve run by Birds Australia. The Reserve covers an area of 650,000 acres and is home to an abundant range of wildlife. Rare night parrots have been sighted several times. Another exciting stop is the ruins of the Old Granite Gold Min, found 60 kilometres south of Rabbit Flat Roadhouse, featuring the original 1930s buildings.

The Red Centre
Australia's famous 'Red Centre' certainly lives up to its reputation, with vast amounts of red soil and sparse greenery amongst its landscape. A trip here cannot be missed as the area holds something different to the rest of Australia.

The main town in Central Australia is Alice Springs, which is surprisingly larger than you imagine. There is a large shopping centre and plenty of accommodation to choose from. Nearby the spectacular MacDonnell Ranges are well worth driving through. The Western MacDonnell Ranges head west from Alice and the Eastern MacDonnell Ranges head east. The scenery is fantastic in both and offer a great opportunity to explore the area.

Heading south from Alice to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, home to Uluru/Ayers Rock and Kata Tjuta/The Olgas, the quickest way is along the Stuart Highway.

There are plenty of tracks leading off of this road although most are 4WD tracks, however they do let you see some wonderful places. One of the first tracks heading off, leads along the Old Ghan Road to Ewaninga, home to some marvellous rock carvings. Continuing south along this track you will reach the large Chambers Pillar which has the names of the early explorers to the area carved into it.

The Aboriginal people believe this to be an ancestor of great strength named Itirkawara. The track leading to the pillar from Maryvale Station is by 4WD only, and although you can camp you should bring your own supplies, including water.

Further south again along this track you will come to the once busy town of Finke. There is an arts centre here and also a fuel station. Heading east from here you will arrive at Old Andado, and heading west you will reach the Stuart Highway hear the turn-off for Uluru. One thing you shouldn't miss in this area is Lambert Centre, which is the geographical centre of Australia, marked by a matching flag to the one on Parliament House in Canberra.

South from Alice along the highway you will come across Stuart's Well. A little further south from here you will reach the Ernest Giles Road, which is a quicker although not as smooth road to Kings Canyon. Even if you don't want to take this route to Kings Canyon you should visit the site of the Henbury Meteorite Craters. The largest of the 12 craters is 180m across and 15m deep.

You can walk around the craters and there are signs pointing out various features. If you want a better road to Kings Canyon then you should follow the route to Uluru, along the Lasseter Highway. Along this road you will pass through Mt. Ebenezer and Curtin Springs, two small villages with a service station. You will also spot Mt. Connor, which you may mistake for Uluru. It is a similar shape, although it has a flatter top and curved sides. The lookout is fabulous and you can get some great photographs. From here there is little else than fantastic scenery until you reach Yulara and the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.