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Woomera, SA

Artificial town created to house people working at the Rocket Range

Woomera is an artificial town specifically designed by the Long Range Weapons Board of Administration to provide accommodation and facilities for personnel - scientists, technicians and ancillary staff - who came to work at an isolated experimental station which was used to test rockets, weapons and missiles. It is located in the South Australian desert and the average annual rainfall is only 190 mm. The visitor leaves the Stuart Highway at Pimba, which is nothing more than a roadhouse, pub, service station and a few houses located near the railway line, and drives 6 km across the desert to Woomera. 
During the 1960s Woomera had a population of over 5000. Today the population is around 120. Over the years it has changed from an important location for experimenting with rockets which, at various times, has been used by the Australian armed forces, Great Britain, the US Air Force, NASA and West Germany. Between 1969 and 1999 the Nurrungar joint US - Australian Ground Station operated in the area. It was located 19 km from Woomera and was closed to the public. And between 1999 and 2003 it was used by the Federal Government as the Woomera Immigration Detention Centre. It housed asylum seekers who had arrived in Australia by sea. Today Woomera township is open to the public. Its main appeal is the Woomera Heritage Centre and the Missile Park. 

Location

Woomera is located 491 km north of Adelaide via Port Augusta. It is 188 km north of Port Augusta and 165 m above sea level.

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Origin of Name

Woomera is an Aboriginal word for, as the Macquarie Dictionary defines it, "a type of throwing stick with a notch at one end for holding a dart or spear, thus giving increased leverage in throwing." The Dictionary says it is a Dharug word which means it must have originated with the language group that lived just west of Sydney.

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Things to See and Do

Woomera Aircraft and Missile Park and Heritage Centre
Woomera Heritage Centre and Woomera Rocket Range Museum
The Woomera Heritage Centre is open from 7.00 am to 3.00 pm from March to November and open from 8.00 am - 2.00 pm from December to February. These times may vary. Tel: (08) 8673 7042 and 1300 761 620. As well as the rockets displayed outside, The Heritage Centre Museum has a number of interesting displays including Aboriginal artefacts and the story of the local Kokatha people; a display relating to the remarkable Len Beadell (see below) who did so much to open up Central Australia with his vast road building projects; a display which explains what life was like for those families who moved to Woomera in the 1950s and 1960s; and, not surprisingly, a detailed history of Woomera's rocket and aircraft history. It is a sensible starting point (it offers an overview and context) before going outside and exploring the exhibits at the Aircraft and Missile Park.

The Woomera Aircraft and Missile Park
The Woomera Aircraft and Missile Park has well preserved examples of most of the rockets which were launched at Woomera. There's a Black Arrow, a large rocket which was launched four times from June 1969 to October 1972. The first launch was destroyed almost immediately because it was unstable. The second and third launches were experimental firings. The fourth put a Prospero satellite into orbit.
There's a Meteor Mark 7, a British jet aircraft which was used against German V-1 rockets. This particular trainer aircraft joined the RAAF in 1951 and in 1960 joined trials at the Woomera Range. Powered by two Rolls Royce Derwent Engines it flew at over 500 mph (800 km/h).
There's a famous Jindivik (the name is said to mean "the hunted one"), the Australian designed and built pilotless target aircraft which was first manufactured in 1952 and completed over 100 flights.
There is also the Ikara, an Australian developed anti-submarine weapon, which was capable of delivering an American 44 type homing torpedo by means of radio tracking and guidance systems. The flight trials were conducted in Woomera between 1961-1969.

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Other Attractions in the Area

The Len Beadell Story and its importance for Woomera
Never heard of Len Beadell? Then you have never heard of the surveyor and road builder who, with a team of eight dedicated assistants (basically bulldozer drivers, mechanics and a cook), in the 1940s and 1950s built more than 6,500 kilometres of roads which opened up Central Australia. 
It was Beadell who headed the “gunbarrel crew” which built that extraordinary track, the Gunbarrel Highway, from Victory Downs (just west of the Stuart Highway on the South Australia-Northern Territory border) across to Carnegie in Western Australia. It was also Beadell and his crew who constructed the Anne Beadell Highway (these were access roads across sand dunes and deserts rather than sealed highways) from Mabel Creek Station (west of Coober Pedy) across to Laverton. 
Beadell was proud of his work and he left small aluminium plates along the way to ensure that the drivers who followed didn’t get lost. Each plate was stamped with the latitude and longitude and, frighteningly, the distance to the next waterhole or station.
The actual construction makes fascinating reading: “The typical modus operandi was for Beadell to carry out forward reconnaissance in his Land-Rover by himself, and, on the basis of this, decide the best route for the road. He would then return to the rest of the group from which the bulldozer would lead off first with its driver guided by Beadell flashing a mirror (sometimes a flare was used) from the top of the Rover. The rough track was then smoothed with an ordinary road grader.”  
It is entirely appropriate that one rocky outcrop in the middle of nowhere, along the Gunbarrel Highway, is named Mount Beadell. On it is a memorial which tells the story of this remarkable man.
“Len Beadell (1923-1995) was born on a farm in West Pennant Hills (now a suburb of Sydney) in 1923. After taking an interest in surveying at the age of 12, under the guidance of his surveyor-Scout master, he began a career with him on the military mapping program of northern NSW in the early stages of the Second World War. A year later he enlisted in the Australian Army Survey Corps serving in New Guinea until 1945.
“While still in the army he accompanied the first combined scientific expedition of the CSIRO into the Alligator River country of Arnhem Land carrying out astronomical observations fixing locations of their new discoveries.
“Waiving his discharge for yet another term he readily agreed to carry out the initial survey for a rocket range later to be named Woomera. This decision led to a lifetime association with that project as a civilian till his retirement in 1988.
“After 41 years including continual camping, surveying, exploring and road making – he opened up for the first time in history over 2.5 million kilometres of the Great Sandy, Gibson and Great Victoria deserts. 
“He discovered the site for the succeeding Atomic test at Maralinga also laying out all the instruments needed to record the results.
“In 1958 as range Reconnaissance Officer at the Weapons research establishment he was awarded the British Empire Medal for his work in building the famous Gun Barrel Highway, the first and still the only 1500 km link east-west across the centre of Australia. 
“Since then he has surveyed over 6,000 km of lonely roads in the deserts for access in establishing instrumentation for the Woomera and Maralinga trials.”
Beadell wrote a number of books including Beating About the Bush, Still in the Bush, Too Long in the Bush, Blast the Bush, Bush Bashers which were all  rich in anecdotes and stories about his adventures. There is also an excellent account of his life titled Len Beadell’s Legacy by Ian Bayly.

Woomera Prohibited Area
The Department of Defence website explains the importance of the Woomera Prohibited Area which lies beyond the village and is not open to visitors. It explains that "The Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA) is a globally unique military testing range. It covers 122 188 square kilometres in north-west South Australia, about 450 kilometres north-west of Adelaide. It is the largest land testing range in the world. The WPA is mainly South Australian Crown land covered by pastoral leases, exploration and mining tenements and native title.
"The WPA is a Prohibited Area regulated by legislation and is a Defence premise used for the testing of war materiel under the management of the Royal Australian Air Force. The WPA is an important Defence capability and testing and evaluation asset that plays a significant role in Australia’s national security.
"The WPA is also highly prospective and the South Australian Government and Geoscience Australia have previously assessed that about $35 billion worth of iron ore, gold and other mineral resources are potentially exploitable from within the WPA over a 10-year period. 
"The WPA comprises extensive lands north of the Indian Pacific railway, from north of Watson in the south-west up to its north-west corner in the Great Victoria Desert (that stretches across the SA-WA border), across to Coober Pedy, and west of Roxby Downs down to Woomera in the south-east." For more information check out http://www.defence.gov.au/woomera/about.htm.

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History

* Prior to the arrival of Europeans the area was home to the Kokatha Aboriginal people.

* In 1946 the Australian government received a formal request from Britain to establish a rocket range 1600 km long and 300 km wide. 

* In June 1946 the first Dakota landed on the first temporary airstrip. 

* Woomera was established in 1947 as a site for launching British rockets. The isolation combined with proximity to the railway siding at Pimba made it an ideal location. 

* A regular RAAF courier service was inaugurated which provided travel, food, mail and supplies for people who were building the range.

* Construction of the village was finished in 1953. 

* From 1947-1970 Woomera was an important scientific centre with the population rising to 7,000 residents. 

* In 1969 a joint USAF and Australian Defence Force communications facility was established nearby at Nurrungar.

* Between 1947-1982 Woomera was a closed town.

* In 1980 the Anglo-Australian Joint Project at Woomera was closed down.

* In 1982 the general public were allowed to enter Woomera Village.

* In 1991 the RAAF's Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) took over the instrument range from Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO).

* By 1999 the joint USAF and Australian Defence Force communications facility at Nurrungar was closed down.

* In 1999 Woomera was opened as the Woomera Immigration Detention Centre for asylum seekers.

* In 2003 the Woomera Immigration Detention Centre for asylum seekers was closed. 

* In 2010 Woomera was involved in the return of the Hayabusa Deep Space Probe.

* In 2014 it became known as the RAAF Woomera Range Complex.

* RAAF Base Woomera was established in 2015.

* The census of 2016 revealed that there were 146 people living in Woomera Village.

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Visitor Information

Woomera Heritage and Visitor Information Centre, Dewrang Avenue, tel: (08) 8673 7042. It is open from 7.00 am to 3.00 pm from March to November and from 8.00 am - 2.00 pm from December to February. These times may vary. Tel: (08) 8673 7042 and 1300 761 620.

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Useful Websites

There is no dedicated website for Woomera.

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Got something to add?

Have we missed something or got a top tip for this town? Have your say below.

23 suggestions
  • Nurrungar was never a detention centre. The protesters painted a white arrow on the Stuart Highway pointing to it, but the Baxter Detention Centre was on the Lincoln Gap Road, just west of Port Augusta. I visited it a few times as a Telstra sub contractor.

    Michael Witcher
  • My brother and I were part of the village in the 60’s. A pet Joey, a bunch of rocks and, of course, the rockets. A day out was a community affair to the salt lakes. We were flown out from UK and I left Australia when I turned 15. Now 66 I remember feeling part of something special.

    Arlene Storey (Hartridge stepdad)
  • We were stationed at Woomera 1988-1990 it was a nice town with many wonderful people, the little church was cobblestone with stained glass windows, the local school was a wonderful place for my son and we had a wonderful time exploring the Australian outback-the local park was outstanding

    Robert @ Sue. Taylor
  • Did Woomera village or Woomera Rocket Range ever have a garbage incinerator for the burning of household garbage or other refuse ?
    If the village was not built until 1947, how could Woomera have requested tenders for a garbage incinerator in the 1930s.
    In a 1971 interview I was told that one was designed for Woomera by Walter Burley Griffin, but Griffin died in 1937.
    Is there any explanation for this date discrepancy ?

    Peter Y. Navaretti
  • I have an autograph drawn by Len Beadell when I was at Woomera Higher Primary School in the 1950’s. I also have a copy of a locally produced “newspaper” the Gibbergabber which was distributed whilst we were living there.

    Liz Gordon
  • Does anyone have any photos of the tin two bed huts at Woomera West worker’s camp?.

    Len Moore
    • I have photos of Woomera (and Giles) during 1959, including the two bed huts at the workers camp also photos of Len Beadell’s drawings & news clippings.

      Jerry Bolger 17th March 2021
      • HI Jerry i use to work at Woomera and would love to see any photos you have to show to my girls and grandchildren. My email address is len1983@live.com.au hoping to hear from you to hear from you. Len Moore

        Len Moore
        • Hi Len I too worked at Woomera in 1959 and would be pleased to share my photos and information with you.
          I will put it all together and email you in the near future.

          Jerry Bolger 17th March 2021
  • Hello, my name is David (Wescombe-)Down and I am enjoying reading all your posts. My family (DOWN) was transferred to Woomera sometime in 1947, Dad being posted as a WO1 & RSM of the Combined Services until our return to Adelaide at the end of 1951.
    My elder brother Michael attended Pimba School in 1948-9, prior to becoming a Foundation Scholar of Woomera School in 1950. His first teacher was Mrs MacDougall. I used to follow him to school and tried to become involved, my mother being frustrated with constantly having to walk and retrieve me each day. We lived in Goornan Street.
    Mr Travers, the Headmaster, assured my parents I was no trouble to the school, engaging with both classroom and schoolyard activities, and said “Why don’t you let David come along and stay?” Thus he unofficially provided me with a 1950 ‘head start’ before my formal Grade One enrolment the following year at the tender age of 4 1/2. Mrs Verrall was my first teacher. My strengths were reading, dictation and spelling: my nemesis being handwriting.
    With Dad as the Mess President, we soon had friends such as Padre (later Bishop) Howell Witt, RAAF Padre Calder, Len and Anne Beadell, with the latter being occasional child-minders.
    We commuted to and from Parafield Aerodrome by Bristol Freighter aircraft and enjoyed gathering and pressing wildflowers, handling desert lizards on our shirt/singlet fronts, adventures at Black Caves, Pimple Hill, Lake Koolymilka and Lake Hart. I recall a willy-willy blowing part of the new school roof off as sheets of metal were scattered: very scary! I saw commencement of the Arboretum and a big excavation for what was probably the eventual swimming pool.
    Michael and I are looking forward to soon revisiting Woomera after a 70-year absence.
    Thanks and kind regards,

    Dr David Wescombe-Down
    • I’ve just reviewed my old post, and noted an error. Baxter Detention Centre was just west of Port Augusta, whereas Woomera Centre, now razed, was just inside the gates between Woomera and the Technical Area.

      Mike Witcher
  • I started school at Woomera primary school in 1952 and remained until 1955 are there any lists of school classes for grade 1, 2, or 3

    Grant Dernedde
  • My brother, Barry Marr, worked at Woomera and Mirikata in 1967, 68, & 69 with the PMG. He played rhythm guitar with the local band which provided music for some Woomera dances and also on some of the nearby properties.
    Barry passed away in 2012 and I would appreciate any photos or anecdotes that anyone might have that they would share.

    Allen Marr
    • I have fond memories of Barry at Mirikata. He was part of a group that built the Mirikata swimming pool. I am collecting material on the history of Mirikata and would like to make contact with you. I last saw Barry at Redcliffs in the late 1960s on a motorcycle trip.

      Terry Duggin
  • I have reviewed my April 27, 2021 post, noting the error of listing Anne Beadell as a sometime child minder of mine when aged 2 or 3 . My late mother was well into her eighties when providing that anecdote, possibly referring to an adult female she thought to be Anne, but of course the Beadell union was not until 1962 or thereabouts.
    Sorry for any discomfort or inconvenience caused anyone.In any event, Len was a friend of my father.

    Dr David Wescombe-Down
    • Hi David, my grandfather was at Woomera from its beginnings and was also friends with Len. He came across from the British army and was involved with the electonics. My grandmother and their son joined him 12 months after he arrived. I was led to believe they were the first family on the site and they had the first house for personnel & family? Possibly your family may have known them with a child of similar age. Their names were Cecil Elliot, Mary Elliot & Raymond Elliot
      I struggle to find information on these first years on the base. My grandmother would tell me stories, some of how they lived in a ‘tent village’ before the buildings were available.
      Feel free to find me on Facebook to make contact

      Brendan Bowden
  • Yes I do have a question, since woomera and surrounding areas belong to the gugajja / kokatha people, was there ever an acknowledgment or agreement between these people and the Australian, British or anyone else involved in their country? Maybe even a ‘welcome to country ceremony’? after all, they are the traditional owners of country,

    Isabel taylor
  • My father worked out at Woomera in 1955 when I was born in June for 6 months with the Post Master Generals Department on telecommunications of some sort. I remember him talking about them letting off some sort of rocket or bomb that they had to turn thier backs too and not look at.
    Mum and Dad have both passed on now and I have no one to ask. My husband and I are visiting Woomera this week just to feel closer to my dad and be somewhere he was. I am hoping to see some photos he may have been in. My dads name was Allen Taylor.

    Narelle Watts Nee Taylor.
  • Hi !
    I just found out that my great-uncle Joe Chervatin spent some time in Woomera, I believe in the 50’s but I do not have any other information.
    Maybe somebody knew him…….

    Caterina
  • I noticed the population was reaching 7000 in the 1970s, what was the main causing of leaving
    Woomera if the town was prosperous? Thank you

    Karen
  • My dad Allen Jelly worked as a carpenter/ joiner in Woomera in the 1950’s, for a company called Waratah constructions. I have been wondering if there was any military or civilian awards handed out. I only ask this because during the Adelaide Anzac Day parade 2023, my dad’s name was mentioned by the commentators. That is the only info I have and would appreciate any information concerning this.

    TrevorJelly
  • Does anybody remember the name Frank Clarke? He was my great uncle. He came to work in Woomera in the 1960’s and then lived there for quite a few years afterwards. I have always aspired to follow in his footsteps in life and would love to know more about him.

    Adrian Clarke