Finke

About Finke

Finke (also known as Aputula) is a remote Indigenous community in the Southern Territory of the Northern Territory, located approximately 317 kilometres south of Alice Springs near the border with South Australia. The community sits alongside the ancient Finke River — considered one of the world's oldest river systems — and is reached via a 147-kilometre unsealed dirt road from the Stuart Highway at Kulgera. With a population of 191 at the 2021 Census and 91.3 per cent of dwellings comprising social housing, Finke is a small, closely-knit Aboriginal community in one of Australia's most remote and geologically ancient landscapes.

Finke is home to the Pertame and Arrernte peoples, and the community retains strong cultural connections to Country in the surrounding Simpson Desert and Finke Gorge region. The locality is internationally known as the starting point of the Finke Desert Race, one of the world's most challenging off-road motorsport events held each June, which draws competitors and spectators from across Australia. Basic community services including a store and health clinic are available in Finke itself, but residents rely on Kulgera Roadhouse or the long drive to Alice Springs for broader supplies and medical care. The surrounding outback landscape of red sand dunes, spinifex, and the ancient gorges of the Finke River valley is striking and ecologically significant.

Finke falls under postcode 872 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Namatjira electorate.

Nearby Suburbs

• Ali Curung, NT 872
• Amoonguna, NT 872
• Ampilatwatja, NT 872
• Anatye, NT 872
• Anmatjere, NT 872
• Areyonga, NT 872