Welcome to the Nullagine CRC

The Road to Nullagine.

I’ve tasted life in no-man’s land,

I’ve fed the flies outback,

I’ve tramped with empty tucker bags on Lawson’s lonely track,

I’ve toiled in Northern Queensland where I thought the sun could shine

But no mistake, it takes the cake,

This road to Nullagine.

Ted Gregg. 1890’s

Nullagine is the site of the first diamond discoveries in Australia. It was an old gold rush town which was first settled in the 1880’s. Gold was found here in 1880 and there was an exodus of miners from the Halls Creek fields to Nullagine. There are also deposits of copper and manganese as well as many gemstones such as amethyst, Pilbara jade, jasper and tiger iron.

It has a unique landscape of rolling red granite hills, rock holes, gorges, endless vistas and, in winter, a wonderful and varied array of wildflowers and birds.

The town had a population of 2-3000 up till the Second World War when the gold started to peter out. Now there are only about 200 people living in town, with about 100 of them being Martu Aboriginals living in Irrungadji Community. With the boom in gold prices, there is an increase in mining and exploration with a largely FIFO work force.

During the cooler months,  an annual influx of tourists trying to find elusive nuggets and pretty rocks increases the population considerably.

The facilities in the town include the Nullagine Community Resource Centre, Caravan Park, Police Station, Hotel,Roadhouse and General Store, Nullagine Remote School, Gym, Library ,Health Clinic.