Caravan parks near Tennant Creek
Outback camping is a breeze in this funky Northern Territory highway town.
- Tennant Creek
Popular for caravans and campervans
Caravan parks near Tennant Creek guide
Overview
Halfway between Darwin and Uluru on the Stuart Highway and close to the turnoff to the Barkly Highway connecting the NT and Queensland, Tennant Creek is a popular stopover point for campers and road-trippers heading through the Red Centre. A short drive from both the Devils Marbles/Karlu Karlu and the Pebbles/Kunjarra, as well as the Davenport Ranges National Park, Tennant Creek is not just known for its natural sights, it’s also a local cultural hub, with the Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre showcasing artists from across the region. Still, whether you go camping in the town itself, or camp in the bush around, Tennant Creek is a great spot for campers who want to make the most of their journey, rather than rushing to the next destination.
Where to go
Tennant Creek
Accommodation options in Tennant Creek range from pet-friendly caravan parks to farm stays and station stays complete with natural—and man-made—swimming pools, camp kitchens, and even on-site shops and cafes. Great for caravan campers, there’s also a public dump site and water points around, so you can unload and load up before hitting the road again.
Devils Marbles
An hour south of Tennant Creek, Devils Marbles—also known as Karlu Karlu—is one of the NT’s most popular tourist attractions and an important sacred site to the Warumungu people. Especially striking at sunset, the park’s landscapes are dotted with huge ancient round boulders that look as if they fell from the skies. Visitors can stay nearby or overnight at the on-site campground (advance bookings essential).
Davenport Ranges National Park
Itwelepwenty—or the Davenport Ranges National Park—is another not-to-be-missed spot in the Tennant Creek area. Great for lovers of nature, wildlife, swimming, 4WDing, and camping, the park has three different campgrounds, including one on the popular Frew River Loop 4WD Track. Best accessed by 4WD, the park is often closed due to flooding, especially in the hot, wet summer months.
Elliott
Continuing on the Stuart Highway north of Tennant Creek will eventually get you to the town of Elliott. About 2.5 hours from Tennant Creek, Elliott is halfway between Darwin and Alice Springs and is a convenient spot for fueling up, stocking up, and grabbing a drink at the Elliott Hotel. Campers can stay at the local caravan park or hit up some of the campsites around.
When to go
Tennant Creek is best visited in the cooler, dryer winter months—between April and October—when daytime temperatures are around 25-35°C. The summer months in the NT are usually hot, humid, and wet, which isn’t the best for camping, especially if you’re in a tent or a swag. Some caravan parks and stations also close up during the rainy, summer months, while the dirt roads out to the national parks and nature campsites around Tennant Creek are often only accessible by 4WD, meaning it can be tricky to find decent camping spots.
