Henbury Meteorites

About 145 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs, the Henbury Meteorites Conservation Reserve is one of the world’s most accessible and dramatic meteorite impact sites. Around 4700 years ago, a meteor broke apart before hitting the red desert, creating 13 craters – the largest is 180 metres wide and 15 metres deep. Walking among these ancient blast scars, you’ll feel the raw power of the cosmos and the deep silence of the outback. The site is sacred to the Arrernte people, who refer to it as ‘the sun walk fire’. It’s a must for anyone fascinated by geology, astronomy or the sheer scale of natural forces.

Highlights & What to See

• Main Crater – the largest and most impressive of the 13 craters, with a raised rim of fractured rock and a flat floor littered with fragments of iron-nickel meteorite.
• Meteorite Fragments – small, rust-coloured shards are scattered across the reserve; you can see them on the surface, but collecting is strictly prohibited.
• Interpretive Trail – a 2.2-kilometre walk that loops past several craters, with signs explaining the impact event and the local geology.
• Stargazing – the dark, remote location offers phenomenal night skies, perfect for contemplating the meteor’s fiery arrival.
• Outback Scenery – the drive itself is a highlight, passing through spinifex plains and red sand dunes with the MacDonnell Ranges on the horizon.

Suggested Time to Spend

Plan for at least 1.5 to 2 hours to walk the interpretive trail and explore the main crater. If you’re keen on photography or stargazing, consider arriving late afternoon and staying until dusk – the low sun casts dramatic shadows across the craters. The reserve has basic picnic facilities, so you could easily make it a half-day trip from Alice Springs, including the scenic drive.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Alice Springs – the gateway town, with the Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum and the Desert Park.
• West MacDonnell National Park – stunning gorges and waterholes like Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm and Ormiston Gorge, all along Larapinta Drive.
• Chambers Pillar – a striking sandstone column rising from the plain, about 40 kilometres south of the reserve.
• Finke Gorge National Park – home to the ancient Palm Valley, a lush oasis of red cabbage palms.
• Kings Canyon – further west in Watarrka National Park, offering a spectacular rim walk.

Please check official sources for current details.