Kintore

NT 872 • Northern Territory

420
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Income
8.20 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RemoteAboriginal CommunityOutbackRuralHistoric

About Kintore

Kintore, also known by its traditional Pintupi name Walungurru, is a remote Aboriginal community in the MacDonnell Region of the Northern Territory, situated approximately 458 kilometres west of Alice Springs near the Western Australian border. With a 2021 Census population of 420 residents, the community is home to the Pintupi people — traditional custodians of this vast Western Desert country — and is one of the most remote inhabited localities in Australia. Social housing accounts for approximately 65.8 per cent of dwellings, reflecting the community-managed and government-supported housing model typical of remote NT communities. The locality covers just over 8 square kilometres of spinifex plains and red-earth desert landscape characteristic of the Central Australian interior.

Kintore is internationally recognised as one of the birthplaces of the Western Desert Art Movement, and the community continues to produce celebrated Indigenous artists whose work appears in major galleries across Australia and the world. Community services include a health clinic, a primary school, and a community store providing essential goods to residents. Access is via the unsealed Kintore Road from Alice Springs, and the community has a local airstrip used for regular charter and medical evacuation flights. Despite its extreme remoteness, Kintore maintains a strong cultural identity, with Pintupi language, ceremony, and connection to Country at the heart of community life.

Kintore falls under postcode 872 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Namatjira electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
872
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
N/A
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Locality
Timezone
Darwin (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-21.95°, 131.30°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
8.20 km²
Elevation
0m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No regular service — Alice Springs Charter / community transport only

Commute to Alice Springs CBD

Distance
458 km
By Train
No rail service
By Car (Peak)
5–6 hours (unsealed road)
By Car (Off-Peak)
5–6 hours (unsealed road)

🛣️ Access via unsealed Kintore Road / Great Central Road; 4WD recommended; community airstrip for light aircraft and medical evacuations

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Community store within walking distance for residents, but a vehicle or aircraft is essential for any trip beyond the community

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
420
0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
N/A
Income 2021
N/A
0% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kintore known for? +

Kintore is best known as one of the birthplaces of the Western Desert Art Movement, with many celebrated Pintupi artists connected to the community. It is also known for its strong traditional culture, Pintupi language, and its remote location on the edge of the Western Desert near the WA border.

How far is Kintore from Alice Springs? +

Kintore is approximately 458 kilometres west of Alice Springs, accessible via the unsealed Kintore Road and Great Central Road. The drive typically takes five to six hours in a 4WD vehicle depending on road conditions.

Does Kintore have public transport? +

There is no public transport to or within Kintore. The community has a local airstrip used for charter flights, medical evacuations, and essential supply runs. Access by road requires a 4WD-capable vehicle.

What is the population of Kintore? +

According to the 2021 Census, Kintore has a population of 420 residents, making it one of the more substantial remote communities in the Northern Territory despite its extreme isolation.

Is Kintore a good place to live? +

Kintore is a highly remote Aboriginal community with limited external services, and residency is primarily for Pintupi community members, essential service workers, and those with strong cultural or professional connections to the community. It offers a unique and deeply traditional way of life in one of Australia's most spectacular desert landscapes.

What is the postcode for Kintore? +

The postcode for Kintore, NT is 0872.