Wauchope (pronounced "walk-up) is a small service town on the Stuart Highway, about 9km south of most popular tourist site the
Devils Marbles or Karlu Karlu. Located 114 km south of Tennant Creek or 390 km from Alice Springs or 1092 km south of Darwin, this little town may have been named after J.A. Wauchope, considered an expert in Wolfram mining in the U.S. The area around Wauchope has been the traditional home of the Warumungu, Kaytetye, Alyawarra and Warlpiri people for tens of thousands of years.
Devils Marble
Series big red rocks
Wauchope was historically established to cater for the Wolfram mining that was found in the nearby area in 1917. This small serving town was originally settled to provide a pub for the workers at the various Barkly Tablelands cattle stations and community around the area. Today, Wauchope is a tourist stopover place, thanks to tourist sites nearby and along the way. Wauchope pub is still serving the passerby and becomes a watering hole for those making the long journey from Alice Springs to Darwin on the Stuart Highway.
Wauchope Hotel Pub today
Wauchope nowadays also has accommodation complete with a swimming pool, camping ground and petrol station. If you just want to stretch-a-leg at Wauchope, across from the petrol station, there is an undercover picnic area with a picnic table and some seats. Please be aware that the flies are extremely friendly here, so insect repellent and a fly net will be your very best friend.
Petrol Stations in Wauchope
Picnic area
