Henbury Meteorites

About 150 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs, the Henbury Meteorites Conservation Reserve is one of Australia's most remarkable geological and cultural sites. Around 4,700 years ago, a massive meteorite broke apart before impact, creating a field of more than a dozen craters — the largest measuring 180 metres across and 15 metres deep. For the Arrernte people, the site is a sacred place where a star-being fell to earth, and the craters are known as tjerakilpa. Walking among these ancient scars on the red desert landscape is an awe-inspiring, almost otherworldly experience.

Highlights & What to See

• Crater field walk: A short, self-guided trail leads you to the main craters, with interpretive signs explaining the impact event and the local Aboriginal significance.
• Largest crater: Stand at the rim of the biggest crater — it's surprisingly deep and gives a real sense of the force of the impact.
• Meteorite fragments: The reserve's small display case (near the parking area) shows actual fragments of the iron meteorite; you can feel the weight of something from outer space.
• Desert views: The surrounding spinifex and red dirt stretch to the horizon, with the West MacDonnell Ranges faintly visible — a classic Central Australian backdrop.
• Photography: Low-angle late afternoon light throws the crater rims into sharp relief, making for dramatic photos.

Suggested Time to Spend

Set aside one to two hours for the reserve. The crater walk is only about 1 km, but you'll want time to absorb the landscape and read the interpretive panels. It's a natural stop on a day trip from Alice Springs or as part of a longer loop through the West MacDonnell Ranges. Combine it with a visit to the nearby Owen Springs Reserve or the ghost town of Arltunga for a full day out.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Alice Springs Desert Park — excellent introduction to the region's ecology and culture, en route from Alice.
• Owen Springs Reserve — historic cattle station with walking trails and waterholes, 30 km north-west.
• Arltunga Historical Reserve — gold-rush ghost town with old buildings and a museum, about 90 km east.
• West MacDonnell National Park — iconic gorges (Ormiston, Glen Helen, Redbank) and swimming holes, a classic drive from Alice.
• Finke Gorge National Park — home to the ancient palm-filled Palm Valley, accessible with a 4WD.

Please check official sources for current details.