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All Australia Ghan Henbury Meteorites Conservation Park

Henbury Meteorites Conservation Park

Curious crater remnants in the middle of the Australian outback.

Ghan, Australia

Added By
Sporkster
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(Flickr/matthiassiegel)   http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthiassiege...
Inside the Reserve  
(Flickr/icathing)   http://www.flickr.com/photos/icathing/2992...
Helpful signage  
Two of the larger craters at sunset  
(Flickr/Prince Roy)   http://www.flickr.com/photos/princeroy/208...
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About

Approximately 4,700 years ago, a meteor racing through the Earth's atmosphere split into several pieces —most no larger than a 200-liter fuel drum—and slammed into the middle of Australia. The meteorite pieces, which reached speeds of 40,000 km per hour, created twelve craters that are still visible today. Though most of the craters have eroded and become lined with plant life, their footprints create an interesting diversion from the surrounding flat Australian desert landscape. A 1.5 km path winds around the largest craters, which are best viewed at sunset and sunrise.

Today, the area is a protected reserve, with rustic camping facilities available. Visitors can expect only long drop toilets and fire pits, and all water and firewood must be brought into the reserve. Most visitors will have the Australian desert to wander without interruption, as this piece of desert is visited by only a handful of guests each day. If you're camping overnight, you will be rewarded with utter silence and a night sky filled with more stars than can be counted.

 

Related Tags

Meteorites Geological Oddities Craters Geology

Know Before You Go

The Reserve is easily accessible by both 2WD and 4WD. Approximately 140km south of Alice Springs, turn west onto the Lasseter Highway (an unpaved road that connects the Sturt Highway to Kings Canyon) and bump along the road for 11km to reach the turnoff for the Reserve, which sits at the end of a 4km access road. Further travel along the Lasseter Highway past the Reserve turnoff is recommended for 4WD vehicles only.

Community Contributors

Added By

Sporkster

Edited By

Blindcolour, Osage, atimian

  • Blindcolour
  • Osage
  • atimian

Published

September 26, 2011

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Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henbury_Meteorites_Conservation_Reserve
  • http://www.meteorite-information.com/meteorites/a-z/eom/henbury/mfs/henbury.html
Henbury Meteorites Conservation Park
Henbury Meteorites Conservation Reserve
Ghan, 0872
Australia
-24.572859, 133.150494
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Rainbow Valley

Northern Territory, Australia

miles away

Gosse Bluff

Namatjira, Australia

miles away

Olive Pink Botanic Garden

Desert Springs, Australia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Ghan

Ghan

Australia

Places 2

Nearby Places

Rainbow Valley

Northern Territory, Australia

miles away

Gosse Bluff

Namatjira, Australia

miles away

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Ghan

Ghan

Australia

Places 2

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