Northern Territory For Everyone: Renner Springs (Pamayu)

Renner Springs (Pamayu)

A tiny settlement and stopover on the Stuart Highway in the heart of cattle country on the Barkly Tablelands.

Location: 662 km north of Alice Springs; 820 km south of Darwin; 161 km north of Tennant Creek.

Like so many places along the Stuart Highway it owes its origins to the Overland Telegraph Line. It was named after Dr Frederick Emil Renner who was dispensing medical advice to the team working on the Telegraph Line when they passed through the springs in 1872.

Dr Renner's diary records a large gathering of birds and while investigating he discovered the Mud Springs. The Mud Springs can still be seen by an enjoyable walk and the large Lagoon still support a large range of the Territory's natural birdlife. The area achieved its importance because of the large number of freshwater springs which bubble up from the underground springs thus providing water to the Telegraph Line builders.

Places of interest

A walk to Renner Springs Lagoon is a great way to begin or end a day of travelling. Here you can watch the gentle turning of our towering windmill swinging in the gentle breezes and enjoy the sunrise and specatular sunsets over the natural spring pool.

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Lubra's Lookout is a flat topped rocky outcrop mountain located 5 kms south of Renner Springs. A climb to the top takes approximately 15 minutes and gives you spectucular 360 degree views of the surrounding countryside. Whether you decide to climb at sunrise or sunset it is well worth the climb and don't forget to take your camera for the magical views.

Churchill's Head Rock (78 km south) on the old Stuart Highway is a rock that looks vaguely like a profile of Britain's wartime Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill. 11 km further south is a monument marking the place where on 25 June 1860 John McDouall Stuart, on his first attempt to cross Australia, was repulsed by hostile Aborigines. It became appropriately known as Attack Creek.