Tjunti facts for kids
Tjunti is a special place in the Northern Territory of Australia. It's a "soakage" site, which means it has natural water sources. It's close to a town called Kaḻṯukatjara.
Tjunti is found where the Hull River flows through the Petermann Ranges. It's about 36 kilometres (22 mi) (22 miles) southeast of Kaḻṯukatjara. You can reach it by driving about 41 km (25 mi) (25 miles) on the Tjukaruru Road.
Tjunti is famous because a gold prospector named Harold B. Lasseter stayed there. He was looking for a legendary gold deposit called Lasseter's Reef. Sadly, he died during his search. In 1977, a small community, called an outstation, was started here. It belongs to a Pitjantjatjara family.
The Hull River is a sandy creek that is usually dry. It forms a gap in the mountains here. This gap separates the Curdie Range in the south from the Mannanana Range in the north. There are several natural water sources and rockholes in this area.
Lasseter's Cave: A Shelter in the Desert
Quick facts for kids Lasseter's Cave |
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| Kuḻpi Tjuntinya | |
The entrance to Kuḻpi Tjuntinya, also known as Lasseter's Cave.
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| Location | Northern Territory, Australia |
The small cave where Lasseter found shelter is called Kuḻpi Tjuntinya. Most people know it as Lasseter's Cave in English. It's an opening in a rock formation located in the Mannanana Range.
Lasseter stayed in this cave for about 25 days in January 1931. He was trying to find a rich gold deposit he said he found on an earlier trip. His camels had left him, and he was stuck in the wilderness without food.
While in the cave, Lasseter wrote down his experiences. This included the days he spent hiding there. Later, a local Pitjantjatjara family found him. They gave him food and water.
Lasseter then decided to leave the cave. He tried to walk the 140 km (87 mi) (87 miles) to Kata Tjuṯa. But he was very weak from not having enough water, food, and rest. He died three days later, after walking about 55 km (34 mi) (34 miles).
