FREEDOM CAMP OF THE MONTH
If you are looking for a free campsite north of Tennant Creek that is well off the road , Churchill ’ s Head will fit the bill .
Also known as Old Stuart Highway , because Churchill ’ s Head is located on the old highway , access to this site is not always great . There were a few washed-out areas when we stayed . However , it is sealed and accessible from either end .
How did Churchills Head receive its name ? It was soldiers during World War II who gave it this moniker because a rock resembling Winston Churchill ’ s profile looked over the road . A branch has even been added for the ‘ cigar ’ effect . For us , Winston was barely recognisable except for the branch ‘ cigar ’!
Rocks aside , you can park on a small unsealed area , but we preferred just south of here and east of the road , where there were several well-protected clearings off the road . There are no facilities , but it is pet friendly . Be sure to leave no trace .
The southern entry is 800m north of the Attack Creek / Stuart Monument ( a free rest area and overnighter with toilets ). It was here that John McDouall Stuart turned back after a confrontation with the Warumunga Aboriginal people .
The Stuart Highway is riddled with World War II attractions and locations . For instance , Australia ’ s first international airport is claimed by Daly Waters . Additionally , Larrimah Hotel was once an officer ’ s mess ! Larrimah has a museum where you can read all about it . In fact , you ’ ll be following the footsteps of more than 250,000 World War II servicemen and women on their way to defend Australia .
You ’ ll also find important landmarks for some of Australia ’ s well known explorers , such as Sir Charles Todd Memorial , Alexander Forrest Commemorative Cairn and the Stuart Monument at Attack Creek .
/ 59