🔍

Tara

NT 872 • Northern Territory

62
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
6.62 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RemoteOutbackRuralIndigenous
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About Tara

Tara is a small remote locality in the Northern Territory, situated in the southern NT approximately 330 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs and 200 kilometres north of the South Australian border near the Docker River (Kaltukatjara) community. Covering around 6.6 square kilometres, the area recorded a population of 62 at the 2021 Census. The landscape is typical of the arid Central Australian interior — flat to undulating desert plains with spinifex grassland, mulga scrub, and ancient geological formations.

The region around Tara lies within the broader Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara homelands of Central Australia, where the traditional cultures and languages of desert Aboriginal communities remain vibrant and central to community life. Access is via remote outback roads, and the area falls within the Central Land Council region. Alice Springs provides the nearest major urban services, while smaller community centres in the region serve local needs. Tara is a deeply remote locality in the heart of the Australian outback.

Tara falls under postcode 872 and is governed by the Barkly 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
Barkly
Federal Electorate
Lingiari
State Electorate
Namatjira
Type
Locality
Timezone
Darwin (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-21.95°, 131.30°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
6.62 km²
Population Density
9 /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 bus service — Alice Springs N/A

Commute to Darwin CBD

Distance
1690 km
By Train
No rail to this area; The Ghan runs Alice Springs–Adelaide–Darwin
By Car (Peak)
Approx. 17 hrs (via Alice Springs and Stuart Highway)
By Car (Off-Peak)
Approx. 17 hrs

🛣️ Extremely remote. Access requires a 4WD; roads can be impassable after rain. Alice Springs is the nearest major centre.

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Extremely remote; a 4WD is essential and there are no walkable services whatsoever.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
62
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tara (NT) known for? +

Tara is a remote Central Australian locality in the Southern NT near the Pitjantjatjara homelands, known for its arid desert landscape and its position in one of the most remote and culturally significant regions of Australia.

How far is Tara from Alice Springs? +

Tara is approximately 330 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs, a drive of around 4 to 5 hours on remote outback roads that require a 4WD vehicle.

Does Tara have public transport? +

Tara has no public transport whatsoever. Access requires a 4WD vehicle on remote outback roads; Alice Springs is the nearest major service centre.

What is the population of Tara? +

The 2021 Census recorded a population of 62 in Tara, making it one of the smallest and most remote localities in the Northern Territory.

Is Tara a good place to live? +

Tara is suitable only for those with strong connections to remote Central Australian communities and the land. Its extreme isolation means all services must be transported in or accessed via long-distance travel to Alice Springs.

What is the postcode for Tara (NT)? +

The postcode for Tara, Northern Territory is 872.