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Lajamanu

NT 852 • Northern Territory

655
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
7255.68 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RemoteAboriginal CommunityOutbackRuralCultural Heritage
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About Lajamanu

Lajamanu is a remote Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory, located approximately 560 kilometres south-east of Katherine and around 890 kilometres south of Darwin, on the traditional lands of the Warlpiri people. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 655, of whom 92.4 per cent identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, making it one of the most significant Warlpiri communities in Australia. Established in 1949 as the Hooker Creek Native Settlement, Lajamanu covers 7,255 square kilometres of Tanami Desert country — a vast and remote landscape of red sand plains and sparse spinifex.

Lajamanu has a vibrant Warlpiri cultural life, with traditional language, ceremony, and art central to community identity. The community has basic services including a school, health clinic, and a small store, though access to broader services requires travel to Katherine or Darwin. Lajamanu is accessible via the unsealed Lajamanu Road, which connects to the Victoria Highway, and has a small airstrip for regional flights. The community faces the challenges common to remote Aboriginal settlements — including infrastructure needs and limited economic opportunities — while maintaining a strong and proud cultural heritage.

Lajamanu falls under postcode 852 and is governed by the Central Desert Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Lingiari, while state elections fall under the Katherine electorate.

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📍 Location

State
Northern Territory
Postcode
852
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Central Desert
Federal Electorate
Lingiari
State Electorate
Katherine
Type
Locality
Timezone
Darwin (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-16.45°, 130.84°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
7255.68 km²
Population Density
0 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 852

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 852, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$32,801
Median 2023–24
$40,100
▲ 22.3% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$50,936

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 852; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No regular public bus service — N/A N/A

Commute to Darwin CBD

Distance
890 km
By Train
No train service
By Car (Peak)
Approx. 10-12 hours via unsealed Lajamanu Road and Victoria Highway
By Car (Off-Peak)
Approx. 10-12 hours

🛣️ Access is via unsealed Lajamanu Road; road may be impassable in wet season. Small community airstrip available for charter/regional flights

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A remote community where a car or community transport is essential; basic services are within the community but broader needs require significant travel

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
655
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lajamanu known for? +

Lajamanu is known as a significant Warlpiri Aboriginal community with a rich cultural heritage, including traditional language, ceremony, and art. It is also historically notable as a settlement established through government relocation of Warlpiri people from Yuendumu in 1949, originally called Hooker Creek Native Settlement.

How far is Lajamanu from Darwin? +

Lajamanu is approximately 890 kilometres south of Darwin, making it around a 10 to 12 hour drive via the unsealed Lajamanu Road and Victoria Highway. Katherine, the nearest regional town, is approximately 560 kilometres away.

Does Lajamanu have public transport? +

There is no public bus or rail service to Lajamanu. Access is via private vehicle on the unsealed Lajamanu Road (which may be impassable in the wet season) or by charter and regional flights to the community's small airstrip.

What is the population of Lajamanu? +

The 2021 Census recorded a population of 655 in Lajamanu, with 92.4 per cent of residents identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander — predominantly Warlpiri people. The community has a slightly higher proportion of women (340) to men (312).

Is Lajamanu a good place to live? +

Lajamanu is primarily a cultural homeland community for Warlpiri people, offering a deeply connected community life on traditional country. Its extreme remoteness, limited services, and infrastructure challenges mean it is not a typical lifestyle destination, but for its residents it represents home, culture, and Country.

What is the postcode for Lajamanu? +

The postcode for Lajamanu, Northern Territory is 852.