🔍

Hugh

NT 872 • Northern Territory

895
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
9568.16 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RemoteOutbackRuralPeaceful
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About Hugh

Hugh is a vast, remote locality in the MacDonnell Region of the Northern Territory, situated approximately 80 kilometres south of Alice Springs deep in the Australian Red Centre. With an area exceeding 9,500 square kilometres, it is one of the largest and most sparsely populated localities in the NT, with fewer than 900 residents spread across an enormous expanse of outback terrain. The landscape is characterised by red desert plains, ancient ranges, and the Hugh River, which flows intermittently through the locality following rainfall.

Life in Hugh is quintessentially remote — residents are largely self-sufficient, with Alice Springs serving as the primary centre for shopping, healthcare, and education. The locality falls under the MacDonnell Regional Council and sits within the broader Red Centre landscape that attracts visitors from around the world for its dramatic scenery and deep Aboriginal cultural significance. Vast pastoral stations and Indigenous communities are the dominant land uses across the locality, and four-wheel drive vehicles are essential for navigating the more remote areas.

Hugh falls under postcode 872 and is governed by the MacDonnell Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Lingiari, while state elections fall under the Namatjira electorate.

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📍 Location

State
Northern Territory
Postcode
872
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
MacDonnell
Federal Electorate
Lingiari
State Electorate
Namatjira
Type
Locality
Timezone
Darwin (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-21.95°, 131.30°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
9568.16 km²
Population Density
0 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 872

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 872 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$39,563
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$50,844

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 872; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No regular service — Alice Springs N/A — private vehicle only

Commute to Alice Springs CBD

Distance
80 km
By Train
No direct train service
By Car (Peak)
1 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
50-55 min

🛣️ Extremely remote; Stuart Highway connects to Alice Springs to the north. Darwin is 1,328 km away.

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A private vehicle — preferably four-wheel drive — is essential for all aspects of daily life in this remote outback locality

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
895
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hugh known for? +

Hugh is a vast remote outback locality in the Northern Territory's Red Centre, known for its ancient desert landscapes, the intermittently flowing Hugh River, and its position within the culturally significant MacDonnell Region south of Alice Springs.

How far is Hugh from Darwin? +

Hugh is approximately 1,328 kilometres south of Darwin City — an extremely remote locality accessible primarily via the Stuart Highway through Alice Springs, which lies about 80 kilometres to the north.

Does Hugh have public transport? +

There is no public transport service in Hugh. The locality is extremely remote, and a private vehicle — preferably four-wheel drive — is the only practical way to travel. Alice Springs, about 80 kilometres to the north, is the nearest service centre.

What is the population of Hugh? +

Hugh has a population of fewer than 900 residents (approximately 865 at the 2016 Census), spread across an enormous area of over 9,500 square kilometres, making it one of the most sparsely populated localities in Australia.

Is Hugh a good place to live? +

Hugh suits those drawn to remote outback living, with wide open desert landscapes, Aboriginal cultural country, and a self-sufficient lifestyle. It is not suited for those who need urban services, as Alice Springs — the nearest regional centre — is about 80 kilometres to the north.

What is the postcode for Hugh? +

The postcode for Hugh, NT is 0872.