Hale
NT 872 • Northern Territory
About Hale
Hale is a vast remote locality in the MacDonnell Region of the Northern Territory, situated approximately 115 kilometres north-east of Alice Springs along the Ross Highway in the East MacDonnell Ranges. The locality, gazetted in 2007 and named after the Hale River, covers an enormous area of nearly 22,000 square kilometres of Central Australian outback and ranges country. With a 2021 Census population of just 72 residents, Hale is one of Australia's most sparsely populated localities, characterised by open cattle station country, sandy river beds, and the rugged beauty of the East MacDonnell Ranges.
The locality's most notable feature is Hale River Homestead at Old Ambalindum, a working cattle station of over 3,000 square kilometres that also operates as a tourism destination offering camping, self-contained cottages, and station-stay experiences. The Hale River itself is famous for tiny purple garnets — once mistaken for rubies during a 19th-century 'ruby rush' — whose crimson glitter still colours the sandy riverbed. Life here is quintessential outback, entirely dependent on private vehicles with no public transport, making it suited to those seeking remote pastoral living or outback tourism.
Hale falls under postcode 872 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Namatjira electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Bus Services
- No scheduled bus services — N/A N/A
Commute to Alice Springs CBD
🛣️ Entirely car-dependent; Ross Highway connects to Alice Springs; 4WD recommended for some station tracks
Remote outback locality with no shops, services, or footpaths — a car is essential for all daily needs
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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Nyirripi Community