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Erldunda Desert Oaks Resort, on the Junction of the Stuart and Lasseter Highways, was established in the 1980s after the Lasseter Highway was developed linking Uluru (Ayers Rock) to the Stuart Highway.
History
Erldunda Station was established in the 1870s by Richard Warburton and stocked in 1884. Richard had accompanied his father Major Peter Edgerton Warburton on an expedition from Alice Springs to Western Australia. On the 15th of April 1873, the Warburtons, two white bushmen, an Aboriginal tracker and two Afghan cameleers left Alice Springs. They reached the De Grey Station on the Western Australian Coast eight months later. It was a horific journey through arid country covering some 6,000 kms. All but two of the camels perished and the explorers were lucky to escape with their lives. After the journey Richard Warburton explored part of this region on behalf of pastoralists Grant and Stokes. He noted the potential of the area and established Erldunda Station which remained in the Warburton family until the 1920s.
Aboriginal people
The area around Erldunda is home to the Luritja Aboriginal people, also known as Matuntara people. They were desert dwellers and in the 1920s and 1930s many came to work at the stations in various jobs, as stockmen in particular.
Welcome Swallows at Erldunda
One of the interesting aspects of travelling is observing the wildlife of the areas. It is often surprising that birds, animals and reptiles can get by with very little water. The welcome swallows are gregarious little birds and have made their home in Erldunda.
Welcome Swallows at Erldunda
Geographical Centre of Australia
While you are at Erldunda, it is interesting to look at the marker depicting Erldunda as the Centre of Australia. This makes three, – the Lambert Centre – out from Kulgera, and Central Mount Stuart, north of Aileron as marked by Explorer John McDouall Stuart and this one.
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