Owen Springs Reserve

Owen Springs Reserve is a picturesque natural attraction covering an expansive 1,570 square kilometres in Alice Springs, Northern Territory.

Once a cattle station, this reserve offers a unique outback experience for adventurers seeking to discover remote but breathtaking landscapes. The reserve is bisected by the Hugh River, which is known for its broad, sandy banks that are shaded by tall river red gums, adding to the scenic appeal of the area. Several rocky gorges, red sand country and waterholes, which last a short time after rain, provide ideal spots for picnicking, birdwatching, and wildlife spotting.

The Owen Springs Reserve is rich in Territory's history, and it is always a great learning opportunity for visitors. It is located near the Stuart Highway, 66 km south of Alice Springs, and Larapinta Drive, approximately 50 km west of Alice Springs. The main access road through the reserve closely follows explorer John McDouall Stuart's route through Central Australia during his early 1860s expeditions, making it an attraction for history enthusiasts. The Overland Telegraph Line, which originally followed Stuart's track through Lawrence Gorge in the Waterhouse Range, was one of the major results from Stuart's explorations. In addition, the old Owen Springs Homestead ruins, the site of the first station homestead built in Central Australia, feature Australia's early pastoral history.

The Owen Springs Reserve is open all year round, but the best time to visit is during the cooler months from April to September. It is worth noting that to access the reserve, a high clearance 4WD vehicle is required, and visitors