Newcastle Waters sits at the intersection of the Barkly and Murranji stock routes, and has its place in Australia's history for its involvement with the Murranji, one of the most famous stock routes in the country. This route goes from Newcastle Waters to Top Springs, some 220 kilometres away.

The Murranji Stock Route was opened in 1886, and as many as 75,000 cattle travelled along the track annually. The route cut nearly two thirds of the distance off the conventional route through Katherine and the Roper River area. It passed through rich pastoral land, owned by some of the wealthiest Territory landowners of the day. The route was tough, and conditions were difficult for the cattle and the drovers, but they endured.

The waterholes in the area were named after the Duke of Newcastle, who was Secretary of State for the colonies at the time that John McDouall Stuart came upon the area in 1861. Stuart and his party found the terrain in the area difficult to cope with - rocky plains, thick scrub and dangerous wildlife - and it deterred them from persevering in their northward push.

From early 1920, and for the rest of the decade, the town developed as a base for workers on the east-west stock route. In the early 1930s further development occurred with the establishment of bore water, leading to the construction of a hotel and other general facilities for drovers on the route. There were no more than a handful of permanent residents at this stage, and there was a heavy reliance placed on passing trade for the town's survival.

It wasn't until the early 1960s that 'progress' threatened the town. The 60s saw the end of stock routes as they had been known. They saw the beginnings of motorised roadtrains, and alternative transport routes were established, by-passing Newcastle Waters. In 1962 the only hotel in the town transferred its licence to the Elliott Hotel, and it ceased operation as a hotel. It continued to serve as a general store for the inhabitants of the cattle stations in the area until 1975, when it eventually closed down altogether.

The town's population was mainly itinerant until 1983, when owners of the Newcastle Waters Station found a need for accommodation for married workers and their families. The town's deserted buildings were renovated and used, and the permanent population of the town began to grow steadily.

Today, there is a teacher and basic facilities in the town, catering for the small population.


Historical Features

Junction Hotel is a National Trust listed building. Today visitors can enjoy the many photographs on display along and at the same time learn all about the past history of droving in the north. It is open to the public every day.

Jones Store was built in 1934 and it is now home to a museum. Over the years, this store has been owned by a variety of different trades people, including a baker, store keeper and saddlers. It is one of the oldest surviving structures in Newcastle Waters. It is open every day for inspection.

Natural Attractions

The Drovers Memorial Park is home to the bronze sculpture of the Drover, created at the hands of the sculptor Eddie Hackman. It is a very pleasant setting to enjoy a picnic or just sit and take a break from driving.

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