Established 1969 Area 129 ha | Address Ghan NT 0872, Australia | |
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Managing authorities See also Protected areas of the Northern Territory | ||
Illamurta Springs Conservation Reserve is a conservation reserve in the Northern Territory of Australia.
It is situated approximately 42 kilometres (26 mi) south of Hermannsburg and 140 kilometres (87 mi) west of Alice Springs. The southern foothills of the James Range and the permanent spring from which the reserve takes its name are found within the reserve.
The area is significant to the Western Arrente peoples and is part of the Kunnea Snake Dreamtime. The Arrente have occupied the region for thousands of years with artifacts such as grindstones being found in and around the reserve.
The first European to visit was Ernest Giles who explored the area in 1874, the first settlers and cattle stations were established nearly a decade later.
The site includes the ruins of the Illamurta Springs Police Station which was established in 1893 and operated until 1912. The police station was built to combat Aboriginal resistance against pastoralists in the area mostly by spearing cattle. Once spearing stock stopped the police station was used as an administration centre for the distribution of rations to Aboriginal people.