🔍

Tennant Creek

NT 860 • Rest of NT

3,080
Population (2021)
$34,892
Median Income
42.06 km²
Area
$180/wk
Median Rent
OutbackRemoteHistoricMining TownRural

About Tennant Creek

Tennant Creek is a remote outback town and service hub in the Barkly region of the Northern Territory, situated on the Stuart Highway approximately 990 kilometres south of Darwin and 510 kilometres north of Alice Springs, within the Barkly Regional Council area. With a population of 3,080 and a median age of 33, the town has a significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population of 1,714 residents — more than half the total — reflecting its deep connection to Warumungu Country. Household incomes are modest at a median of $1,677 per week, consistent with the challenges facing many remote NT communities.

Tennant Creek is best known as a historic gold mining town — the site of one of Australia's last great gold rushes in the 1930s — and today serves as the commercial and administrative centre for the vast Barkly region. The Three Ways junction, 26 kilometres north, marks where the Barkly Highway branches east toward Queensland. The town provides essential services including a hospital, schools, supermarkets, and government offices, along with the Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre celebrating Warumungu heritage. Despite its remoteness, a strong community spirit and unique outback character define life in Tennant Creek.

Tennant Creek falls under postcode 860 and is governed by Barkly Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Barkly electorate.

📍 Location

State
Northern Territory
Postcode
860
Urban Area
Tennant Creek exc. Town Camps
LGA / Council
Barkly
Federal Electorate
Lingiari
State Electorate
Barkly
Type
Urban
Timezone
Darwin (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-19.66°, 134.19°
Statistical Area
Rest of NT
Area
42.06 km²
Elevation
357m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Greyhound Australia — Darwin / Alice Springs Darwin approx 12 hrs; Alice Springs approx 5 hrs

Commute to Darwin CBD

Distance
990 km
By Train
No passenger rail service. Greyhound coach to Darwin takes approximately 12 hours.
By Car (Peak)
Approx 10-11 hrs to Darwin; 5 hrs to Alice Springs
By Car (Off-Peak)
Approx 10-11 hrs to Darwin; 5 hrs to Alice Springs

🛣️ Tennant Creek Airport has regular flights to Darwin and Alice Springs; Stuart Highway is the main road corridor

Walkability Car-Dependent

The town centre is compact enough to walk within, but a car is essential for most activities and all travel outside Tennant Creek

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

No schools listed for this postcode.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$180
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,114
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
33 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
29.1%

237 state housing + 37 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,991
Census 2021
3,080
▲ 3.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$33,800
Income 2021
$34,892
▲ 3.2% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,333
Born Overseas 461

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Philippines 64
  • 2. India 54
  • 3. England 47
  • 4. New Zealand 42
  • 5. Nepal 28
  • 6. Zimbabwe 24
  • 7. Fiji 20
  • 8. Bangladesh 13
  • 9. Thailand 12
  • 10. South Africa 10

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian Aboriginal 1,591
Australian 466
English 452
Irish 152
Scottish 131
Filipino 88
German 78
Indian 64
Chinese 39
Italian 26

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,055
Both parents born in Australia
523
Both parents born overseas
144
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
41.8%
No Religion
36.9%
Hinduism
1.7%
Buddhism
1.0%
Islam
0.8%
Sikhism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
271 (8.8%)
5-14 years
400 (13.0%)
15-19 years
167 (5.4%)
20-24 years
185 (6.0%)
25-34 years
571 (18.5%)
35-44 years
407 (13.2%)
45-54 years
416 (13.5%)
55-64 years
385 (12.5%)
65-74 years
204 (6.6%)
75-84 years
68 (2.2%)
85+ years
11 (0.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tennant Creek known for? +

Tennant Creek is known for its gold mining heritage — site of one of Australia's last major gold rushes in the 1930s — and as the main service town for the Barkly region. It is also home to the Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre, celebrating the culture of the Warumungu people, the traditional owners of the land.

How far is Tennant Creek from Darwin? +

Tennant Creek is approximately 990 kilometres south of Darwin by road via the Stuart Highway, roughly a 10-11 hour drive. Tennant Creek Airport operates regular flights to Darwin and Alice Springs for those needing to travel more quickly.

Does Tennant Creek have public transport? +

Tennant Creek is served by Greyhound Australia coach services running along the Stuart Highway between Darwin and Alice Springs. There is no passenger rail service. Within the town, most destinations are reachable on foot or by car, but a vehicle is essential for travel beyond the town.

What is the population of Tennant Creek? +

According to the 2021 Census, Tennant Creek has a population of 3,080, of whom 1,714 — more than half — identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. The median age is 33, reflecting a relatively young community.

Is Tennant Creek a good place to live? +

Tennant Creek suits those who embrace remote outback living and community-oriented life in the NT. It offers essential services, a strong Aboriginal cultural presence, and employment opportunities in mining, government, and community services, though its remoteness and limited amenities mean it is not for everyone.

What is the postcode for Tennant Creek? +

The postcode for Tennant Creek is 860, covering the town and its immediate surrounds in the Barkly region of the Northern Territory.