🔍

Namatjira

NT 872 • Northern Territory

164
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Income
4325.74 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RemoteOutbackHistoricRuralCar-Dependent

About Namatjira

Namatjira is an expansive locality in the MacDonnell Region of the Northern Territory, covering an extraordinary 4,325 square kilometres of central Australian outback and ranges. Located approximately 1,280 kilometres south of Darwin in the vicinity of the West MacDonnell Ranges, the locality is named in honour of the renowned Western Aranda watercolour artist Albert Namatjira. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 164 people across this vast, predominantly remote area.

The locality takes in dramatic central Australian landscapes of ancient red rock formations, spinifex plains, and mountain ranges that inspired Albert Namatjira's celebrated paintings. It falls within the MacDonnell Region local government area and the Namatjira electoral division. With no major urban centre or commercial services, the locality is largely uninhabited open country; a four-wheel-drive vehicle is essential, and Alice Springs serves as the nearest hub for all major services.

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

📍 Location

State
Northern Territory
Postcode
872
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
N/A
Federal Electorate
Lingiari
State Electorate
Namatjira
Type
Locality
Timezone
Darwin (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-21.95°, 131.30°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
4325.74 km²
Elevation
0m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No scheduled bus service — Alice Springs Approximately 1.5–2.5 hours by car depending on location within locality

Commute to Alice Springs CBD

Distance
150 km
By Train
No direct train service; nearest Ghan station is Alice Springs
By Car (Peak)
1.5–3 hours (varies greatly across the 4,325 km² locality)
By Car (Off-Peak)
1.5–3 hours

🛣️ Unsealed outback roads; four-wheel-drive recommended. The West MacDonnell Ranges and Namatjiri Drive are key access routes.

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Vast remote outback locality with no commercial services; all errands require driving to Alice Springs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
164
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
N/A
Income 2021
N/A
▲ 0% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Namatjira known for? +

Namatjira is named after Albert Namatjira, the renowned Western Aranda watercolour artist whose iconic paintings of the central Australian ranges brought international recognition to the MacDonnell Ranges landscape. The locality encompasses dramatic red rock scenery, spinifex plains, and outback ranges that continue to draw visitors to the region.

How far is Namatjira from Alice Springs? +

The locality of Namatjira spans approximately 4,325 square kilometres in the MacDonnell Region, with access points roughly 150 kilometres or more west of Alice Springs via the West MacDonnell Ranges roads.

Does Namatjira have public transport? +

There is no public transport within the Namatjira locality. The area is accessible only by unsealed outback roads, and a four-wheel-drive vehicle is strongly recommended. The Ghan train stops at Alice Springs, approximately 150km to the east.

What is the population of Namatjira? +

The 2021 Census recorded a population of 164 people in the Namatjira locality, spread across a vast 4,325 square kilometre area — one of the most sparsely populated localities in Australia at roughly 0.04 people per square kilometre.

Is Namatjira a good place to live? +

Namatjira suits those deeply connected to the remote outback lifestyle and Aboriginal country of the central Australian ranges. It offers extraordinary natural beauty and solitude, but requires complete self-sufficiency as all services and amenities are in Alice Springs.

What is the postcode for Namatjira? +

Namatjira's postcode is 0872, shared with several other remote Northern Territory localities in the Central Desert region.