View our range of Alice Springs, Uluru, Kata Tjuta, the Olgas,
Kings Canyon and other tours. Many of the tours commence from Alice Springs,
Ayers Rock and Darwin.
Located on the Stuart Highway, about 135 km north of Alice Springs and
some 370 km south of Tennant Creek, is Aileron, a welcoming roadhouse rest stop
in Anmatjere Country, offering
outback hospitality including meals, accommodation, supplies and fuel.
For
those passing through you are welcomed to stop for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
If you are seeking accommodation there are motel style rooms or camping and
caravan grounds.
Aileron is also home to the striking giant figure of the
‘Anmatjere Man’. Erected in December 2005, at 17 metre tall and weighing 8 tonne, he strikes an impressive figure as he overlooks Aileron and the surrounding region. There is
also the nearby Ryans Well Historical Reserve.
After 3 long years by himself, ‘Anmatjere Man’ finally has a family. Also
created by the same sculptor Mark Egan, ‘Anmatjere Man’ has been joined by a
wife and child, being erected in December 2008. Unlike the original piece which
took Mark Egan a year to create, ‘Anmatjere Woman and Child’ took only four
months.
Check out our listing of
Aileron accommodation.
For additional attractions, tours and other information contact the local
tourism visitor centre.
Anmatjere Man •
One of the main draw cards for the popular stop of Aileron is the giant 17 metre high statue called ‘Anmatjere
Man’, which is based on a traditional man from the local Anmatjere tribe. Built by Alice Springs local, Mark Egan, the statue
was built in 12 months, weighs
about nine tonne, was erected in December 2005 and stands proudly on a hill
overlooking Aileron and the surrounding region. The Anmatjere people have named
the sculpture after Charlie Quartpot Ngwarray, who once lived in this area — he
was a leader and an important man, a rainmaker. Greg Dick, owner of the Aileron
Hotel has installed lights so that the huge figure can be seen at night.
‘Anmatjere Man’ has now been joined by ‘Anmatjere Woman and Child’.
YouTube of ‘Raising Charlie Quartpot’ by welcometv...
Aileron Walks •
There are a number of walks that offer the opportunity to take in the wildlife,
panoramic views of the Station, airstrip, roadhouse and surrounding ranges.
Oatley Walking Track — Walking times is approximately 35 minutes.
Starts on the left hand side of the hill, the track goes around the hill on
the south eastern side.
Colsen’s Walk — Walking time is approximately 35 minutes. Named
after previous owner Fred, this walk starts on the right hand side of the
hill. Follow the road around to the left to pas the Aileron Race Course.
Mark’s Walk — Up the guts! Walking time 16 minutes. The walk is a bit
more challenging as you make your way up a rough track. It takes you up to
the ‘Anmatjere Man’.
You can pick up the walking track brochure from the Aileron Roadhouse.
Aileron Hotel Roadhouse
• Stuart Hwy, AILERON • Ph: 08 8956 9703 • Fax: 08 8956 9868 •
The hotel was established in 1936 and provided a welcome stop for travellers
heading up and down the track. Today, it provides all the usual facilities
including fuel and autogas, EFTPOS, take-away food, tourist information, native wildlife,
Aboriginal arts and crafts, licensed restaurant, plus
various types of accommodation.
Outback Art Gallery
• Aileron Roadhouse, Stuart Hwy, NT • Ph: 08 8956 9111 •
• Mon - Fri 8 am - 5 pm,
Sun 10 am - 4 pm •
Located at the base of the giant Anmatjere Man sculptor is this gallery housing
works from the local Anmatjere people and surrounding areas. Relax and enjoy a
coffee in a peaceful setting and view the artwork and souvenirs.
Ryans Well Historical Reserve •
The reserve is named after Ned Ryan
who was a stonemason who became an expert at sinking wells. The well was
hand-dug in 1889 to supply water for travellers.
The historic importance of reserve lies in its significant part of the Northern
Territory's development, particularly the watering systems associated with stock
movement along the Overland Telegraph Line.
The Reserve contains a well, the storage tank stand and the ruins of Glen Maggie
Homestead. The Homestead ruins are associated with the Nicker family and the Central Australian personality "Cloudy" Beale. It also
provides evidence of the way of life of pastoral settlers during the early part
of the Twentieth Century and shows how local materials were used. The whole well
system shows how stock were watered in those early days.
ABC
Alice Springs •
A couple of articles on
Anmatjere man and
Sculpture of Anmatjere man unveiled in Aileron can be found on the ABC website,
just search using the phrase
Anmatjere man.
Aileron -
2 •
Report Andrew McMillan chats to Greg Dick, manager of the Aileron Roadhouse as
he recounts the story of how the local coppers are attacked with frozen kangaroo
tails. He also discusses his collection of magnificent early Central Australian
Aboriginal paintings.
