Illamurta Springs Conservation Reserve facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Illamurta Springs Conservation Reserve Ghan, Northern Territory
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
Illamurta Springs Conservation Reserve Location in Northern Territory
Established	1969
Area	1.29 km2 (0.5 sq mi)
Managing authorities	Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory
See also	Protected areas of the Northern Territory

The Illamurta Springs Conservation Reserve is a special protected area in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is located near Ghan, about 42 kilometers (26 miles) south of Hermannsburg. It is also about 140 kilometers (87 miles) west of Alice Springs.

This reserve is home to the southern foothills of the James Range. It also has a permanent spring, which is where the reserve gets its name.

History of Illamurta Springs

Ancient History and Indigenous Culture

This area is very important to the Western Arrernte peoples. It is part of their Kunnea Snake Dreamtime stories. The Arrernte people have lived in this region for thousands of years. Scientists have found old artifacts like grindstones in and around the reserve. These tools show how people lived here long ago.

European Exploration and Settlement

The first European to visit this area was Ernest Giles. He explored the region in 1874. About ten years later, the first settlers arrived. They started cattle stations to raise cattle.

Illamurta Springs Police Station

The reserve also holds the ruins of the Illamurta Springs Police Station. This station was built in 1893 and operated until 1912. It was set up to help manage interactions between local Aboriginal people and the new settlers. Later, the police station became a center for giving out food and supplies to Aboriginal people.

Important Collaborations

In 1894, Mounted Constable Ernest Cowle led explorers across the Lake Amadeus saltpan to Uluru. He then returned across the McDonnell Ranges. Cowle became friends with Walter Baldwin Spencer. Later, while working at Illamurta Springs, Cowle helped Spencer and Frank Gillen with their famous book. This book, called The Native Tribes of Central Australia (published in 1899), helped people learn a lot about Indigenous cultures.

Heritage Listing

The Illamurta Springs Conservation Reserve is recognized for its importance. It was listed on the now-closed Register of the National Estate in 1980. It was also added to the Northern Territory Heritage Register on September 14, 1994.