Things to do with kids in Tennant Creek & the Barkly

Karlu Karlu means 'round boulders', and these granite giants sit 100km south of Tennant Creek off the Stuart Highway. Walk the 2km loop near sunrise or sunset, when they glow red, and look for goannas and finches. Traditional owners ask that the boulders are not climbed.

Battery Hill Mining Centre tells the story of Tennant Creek's 1930s gold rush, with old mining machinery, vintage vehicles and a minerals collection. The underground mine tour runs through recreated tunnels for children aged seven and up, and under-16s enter the museum free. It opens 9am to 5pm on weekdays and 9.30am to 4pm on weekends.

This stone station, 10km north of town, was built for the Overland Telegraph Line, Australia's first line to Britain. A self-guided walk through the buildings covers the line and the gold discovery that drew thousands to Tennant Creek. Collect the key from Battery Hill Mining Centre before you drive out.

This dam sits 5km north of Tennant Creek, just beyond the Honeymoon Ranges. You can drive in off the Stuart Highway or ride the Ted Ryko cycle track. Water birds gather here, and Tourism Central Australia calls it a cool, shady spot for a picnic or a swim.

The lookout sits just past Battery Hill, with a carpark and 360-degree views of Tennant Creek and the district. Plaques help you pick out important local sites. It is free, and named after Bill Allen, a well-known local.

Built in 1939 and 1940 as part of the Tennant Creek Hospital, this building was an army camp hospital from 1942 to 1945. Displays and photos cover First Nations history, the Overland Telegraph and the region's gold rush, with guided tours by volunteers. Adults pay $5 and children enter free; the National Trust posts opening times on its Facebook page.