🔍

Mount Zeil

NT 872 • Northern Territory

69
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
6692.83 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RemoteOutbackRuralMountain
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About Mount Zeil

Mount Zeil is a vast and remote locality in the MacDonnell Region of the Northern Territory, centred on the western MacDonnell Ranges approximately 250 kilometres west of Alice Springs and around 1,250 kilometres south of Darwin. The locality, which was gazetted in 2007, covers an extraordinary 6,693 square kilometres of outback landscape and encompasses several pastoral leases including Narwietooma and Glen Helen, as well as the north-western section of West MacDonnell National Park. With a 2021 census population of just 69 residents across this immense area, Mount Zeil is one of Australia's most sparsely inhabited localities.

The locality takes its name from Mount Zeil itself — the highest peak in the Northern Territory and the highest point on the Australian mainland west of the Great Dividing Range, rising to 1,531 metres above sea level. The surrounding landscape is defined by ancient red gorges, spinifex plains, and the dramatic ridgelines of the MacDonnell Ranges, offering extraordinary outback scenery. The nearby West MacDonnell National Park draws visitors for its gorges, waterholes, and the renowned Larapinta Trail, while residents of the locality are primarily station workers and Indigenous community members whose lives are centred on the land.

Mount Zeil 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.

📍 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
6692.83 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 local bus service — N/A N/A

Commute to Alice Springs CBD

Distance
250 km
By Train
No local rail; drive to Alice Springs (~250 km, ~3 hr), then The Ghan to Adelaide (19 hr) or fly
By Car (Peak)
2 hr 30 min – 3 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hr 30 min – 3 hr

🛣️ Vehicle access across pastoral stations is required. Namatjira Drive and Larapinta Drive connect the western ranges to Alice Springs. No sealed road to the locality entrance.

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Mount Zeil is an extremely remote outback locality with no local services; vehicle access via station roads is the only practical option.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
69
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mount Zeil known for? +

Mount Zeil is best known for being the highest peak in the Northern Territory and the highest point on the Australian mainland west of the Great Dividing Range, standing at 1,531 metres. The locality also includes parts of the West MacDonnell National Park and several large pastoral stations.

How far is Mount Zeil from Alice Springs? +

Mount Zeil locality is approximately 250 kilometres west of Alice Springs, making it a 2 hour 30 minute to 3 hour 30 minute drive via Namatjira Drive, depending on road conditions and the specific destination within the locality.

Does Mount Zeil have public transport? +

There is no public transport service to the Mount Zeil locality. Alice Springs, approximately 250 km to the east, is the nearest centre with transport connections, including The Ghan rail service and regional flights. A four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended for travel in the area.

What is the population of Mount Zeil? +

According to the 2021 Census, Mount Zeil has a population of 69 residents across its 6,693 square kilometres — making it one of the most sparsely populated localities in Australia, with a population density of less than one person per 100 square kilometres.

Is Mount Zeil a good place to live? +

Mount Zeil suits those connected to pastoral station work or Indigenous land management in the outback, offering an extraordinary natural environment in the MacDonnell Ranges. Lifestyle is remote and self-sufficient, with Alice Springs being the nearest major service centre over 250 km away.

What is the postcode for Mount Zeil? +

The postcode for Mount Zeil, NT is 872, covering the remote western MacDonnell Ranges area of the Northern Territory.