Owen Springs Reserve
Overview
Owen Springs Reserve of 1780 square kilometres, was formerly Owen Springs cattle station. It was acquired by the Northern Territory Government in 2000 and opened in 2003 for public enjoyment.
The area protected within the Owen Springs Reserve is steeped in Territory history. The main access track through the Reserve closely follows John McDouall Stuart's route through the MacDonnell Ranges. His explorations between 1860 and 1862 opened Central Australia to white settlement.
Stuart, William Kekwick and Benjamin Head were the first white men to travel through this country. On 11 April 1860, while making their way northwards along the Hugh River, they discovered a large waterhole that Stuart named Owen Springs.
One of the immediate results of Stuart's explorations was construction of the Overland Telegraph Line that originally followed the Hugh River through Lawrence Gorge in the Waterhouse Range.
Even before the Line was completed in August 1872, cattleman William Gilbert was on his way from South Australia to establish a cattle station here. The Old Owen Springs Homestead was the first station homestead built in Central Australia.
How to Get There
The Reserve is located a short drive southwest of Alice Springs and can be accessed via a number of routes:
- via Larapinta and Namatjira Drives northward along the Hugh River to the Alice Valley;
- southward along the Hugh River from Larapinta Drive, 50 kilometres from Alice Springs; and
- via the Stuart Highway, 66 kilometres south of Alice Springs.
A four wheel drive is essential. Some sections of the track follow the sandy bed of the river and may be impassable after rain. Vehicles are required to keep to the main track except to access campsites along the river.
What to See and Do
For almost its entire course through the Reserve, the Hugh River has considerable scenic and recreational appeal. There are numerous, attractive stretches of river with broad sandy banks lined with shady River Red Gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis.) In several places large waterholes remain long after rain and present outstanding opportunities for camping, picnicking, birdwatching and swimming. The appeal of the Hugh River is enhanced by the scenery of the adjoining rocky gorges and red sand country.
North of Larapinta Drive, you can camp along the Hugh River as far as Reedy Waterhole and at Birthday Waterhole. Improved orientation signs have been installed in this area.
South of Larapinta Drive access is along one track between Larapinta Drive and the south Stuart Highway. Stop and walk around the historic Old Owen Springs Homestead. Camping is allowed between the signposts within Lawrence Gorge and near Redbank Waterhole.
Within Lawrence Gorge are a number of sacred sites that are important to Aboriginal custodians. They ask that visitors remain in the creekbed and not climb the hills or disturb rocks in the area.
Fact Sheet
Ranger Guided Activites
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Historic talk- Owen Springs Reserve
- When: Sundays 23 March, 27 April, 4 May, 8 June and 3 August 2008
- Time: 1:00pm for 1 hour
- Meet: Meet at the Old Homestead Ruins (18km from Larapinta Drive)
Homestead stories: Journey back into the days of the first explorers and the pioneers of the pastoral industry in Central Australia.
