Henbury Meteorites

About 130 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs, the Henbury Meteorites Conservation Reserve preserves one of the world’s best-preserved meteorite impact sites. Around 4,700 years ago, a fragment of a larger meteorite broke up on entry, creating at least 12 craters across a remote, rocky plain. This is a place of stark, primal beauty where you can walk among craters, see scattered iron-shale fragments, and feel the raw power of an ancient cosmic collision.

Highlights & What to See

• Walk the Crater Trail: A 1.5-km loop takes you past the largest crater (180 m across) and several smaller ones. Interpretive signs explain the impact mechanics and the 1929 discovery by local cattlemen.
• Iron-shale fragments: You’ll see dark, twisted pieces of meteorite material (mostly iron and nickel) lying on the ground. Please don’t take any – they’re protected.
• Desert landscape: The reserve showcases spinifex grasslands, mulga trees and red dirt, with the MacDonnell Ranges shimmering on the horizon.
• Birdwatching: In the early morning or late afternoon, look for zebra finches, honeyeaters and birds of prey soaring overhead.
• Sunset views: The craters catch the low-angle light beautifully, making for memorable photographs with long shadows.

Suggested Time to Spend

Allow 1–2 hours for the short walk and to absorb the site. If you’re driving from Alice Springs, it’s a half-day round trip (3 hours driving plus your visit). Combine with a picnic – there are basic tables but no facilities – and aim to arrive in the late afternoon for the best light and cooler temperatures.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Finke Gorge National Park: 40 km north, home to the ancient Finke River and the iconic Palm Valley with its rare red cabbage palms.
• Alice Springs: The hub for supplies, accommodation and the excellent Alice Springs Desert Park.
• West MacDonnell Ranges: Stunning gorges, waterholes and walks – particularly Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm and Ormiston Gorge.
• Chambers Pillar Historical Reserve: A dramatic sandstone pillar 160 km south-east, rich in Aboriginal and explorer history.

Please check official sources for current details.