Owen Springs Reserve

Owen Springs Reserve, formerly Access Owen Springs cattle station was The Reserve is approximately a Safety and Comfort acquired by the 30-40 minute drive southwest of ‡ 2EVHUYHSDUNVDIHW\VLJQV Government in 2000 and opened in and can be accessed ‡ &DUU\DQGGULQNSOHQW\RIZDWHU 2003. The 1780 km2 Reserve has via two routes: ‡ :HDUDVKDG\KDWVXQVFUHHQ fast become a favourite location for insect repellent, suitable ‡ via Larapinta Drive, 50km clothing and footwear. 4WD visitors seeking quiet bush west of Alice Springs; and ‡ $YRLGVWUHQXRXVDFWLYLW\GXULQJ camping without facilities. ‡ via the , 66 the heat of the day. Fact Sheet The area protected within kilometres south of Alice ‡ &RQVLGHU\RXUKHDOWKDQG¿WQHVV the Owen Springs Reserve is when choosing a walk. Springs. steeped in Territory history. The Please Remember A high clearance 4WD is main access track through the ‡ .HHSWRGHVLJQDWHGURDGV Reserve closely follows John essential. Some sections of and tracks. McDouall Stuart’s route through the track follow the sandy river ‡ $OOKLVWRULFFXOWXUDOLWHPVDQG the MacDonnell Ranges. His bed and drivers should engage wildlife are protected. explorations between 1860 and 4WD to minimise the risk of ‡ 6PDOORSHQ¿UHVDUHSHUPLWWHG within camping areas. 1862 opened Central Australia to becoming bogged. These sandy ‡ %LQVDUHQRWSURYLGHGSOHDVH white settlement. river beds may be impassable after rain. Vehicles are required to keep take your rubbish with you. Stuart, William Kekwick and to the main track except to access ‡ 'RJVDUHRQO\SHUPLWWHG %HQMDPLQ+HDGZHUHWKH¿UVWZKLWH south of the Waterhouse campsites in designated areas men to travel through this country. Range (refer to map). along the river. On 11 April 1860, while making South of Larapinta Drive access is their way northwards along the Camping is allowed along one track between Larapinta Hugh River, they discovered a between the signposts Drive and the south Stuart waterhole that Stuart named Ewart within Lawrence Gorge and near Highway. Springs. The waterhole was later Redbank Waterhole. renamed Owen Springs by Stuart’s What to Do There are no facilities provided ¿QDQFLDOEDFNHU-DPHV&KDPEHUV For almost its entire course and visitors should bring their own One of the immediate results through the Reserve, the Hugh drinking water requirements. of Stuart’s explorations was River has considerable scenic construction of the Overland and recreational appeal. There Stop and walk around the Telegraph Line that originally are numerous, attractive stretches historic Old Owen Springs followed the Hugh River through of river with broad sandy banks Homestead. Lawrence Gorge in the Waterhouse lined with shady River Red Gums A Self-drive Information Sheet Range. Eucalyptus camaldulensis. is available from the information Even before the Line was In several places large waterholes shelter when you enter the completed in August 1872, remain long after rain and present Reserve. cattleman William Gilbert was outstanding opportunities for on his way from South Australia camping, picnicking, birdwatching to establish a cattle station and swimming. here. The Old Owen Springs The appeal of the Hugh River is +RPHVWHDGLVWKHVLWHRIWKH¿UVW enhanced by the scenery of the Visitors with a sharp station homestead built in Central adjoining rocky gorges and red eye might spot one of the Bustards that Australia. sand country. inhabit the park

Parks & Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory 2ZHQ6SULQJV5DQJHU6WDWLRQ 5HJLRQDO2I¿FH$ULG=RQH5HVHDUFK,QVWLWXWH Ph: (08) 8956 7300 South Stuart Highway ALICE SPRINGS NT 0870 Fax: (08) 8956 7300 PO Box 1120 ALICE SPRINGS NT 0871 www.nt.gov.au/parks Ph: (08) 8951 8250 Fax: (08) 8951 8290 Owen Springs Reserve

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Owen Springs Reserve 015 0 West MacDonnell National Park Kilometres To Stuarts Well & Erldunda

A/01/2011PWCNT Fact Sheet For more information see our website: www.nt.gov.au/parks or contact Tourism Central Australia 1800 645 199 www.centralaustraliantourism.com.au