Arltunga
FA29516 - East MacDonnell Ranges - 110 km east from Alice Springs
Location
East MacDonnell Ranges
Nearest Town
Alice Springs
Distance
110 km east
Photo: NT Government Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
Location
Arltunga is in the Alice Springs region
Fossicking Area Boundary
Official declared boundary from the NT Government. You may only fossick within this area.
Boundary coordinates from NT Government gazettal
History
The historic town of Arltunga was officially Central Australia's first town and once supported up to 3,000 people. Arltunga was born out of a gold rush in 1887 when alluvial gold was discovered in a dry creek bed.
Today visitors can pan for gold and explore the remains of old mines, miner's camps and stone buildings, some of which have been restored and preserved. The fossicking area is located outside of the reserve, however you can pan for gold in the visitor centre's courtyard display.
What You Can Find
Alluvial gold may be found in the alluvium and colluvium areas and in Mission Creek within the fossicking area boundary.
Getting There
Access is from the Ross Highway south of Alice Springs. Travel 1.5 km south from Heavitree Gap along the Stuart Highway, then turn left onto the Ross Highway.
Follow the Ross Highway for 72 km to the Arltunga turn-off, which is well signposted (the Ross Highway is sealed up to the Arltunga turn-off). Then drive 33 km north-west to the Arltunga pub. The fossicking area is found 1.3 km past the Arltunga Bush Hotel, where the track crosses Mission Creek.
Access to Arltunga is suitable for conventional vehicles with care.
Camping
Camping is not permitted in the fossicking area.
Fossickers are advised to call into the Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Commission Visitors' Centre where further information is available about the Arltunga area.
Important Notes
- !The fossicking area is bounded by the Arltunga Historical Reserve and Aboriginal Land, on which fossicking is strictly prohibited.
- !Water is very scarce in the Arltunga area. Fossickers must carry their own water.
- !Fossickers must take their rubbish with them when they leave.
- !Fires are not to be lit in the Reserve.
- !No firearms or hunting are permitted in the Reserve.
Source: NT Government DITT, CC BY 4.0