Place Names Register Extract

Unyerre Crescent

Extract date: 05/06/2026

Name Unyerre
Type Designation Crescent
Place Id 25010
Place Type Road
Status Registered
Date Registered 14 September 2021
Locality / Suburb  
  Kilgariff
Local Government Area  
  Alice Springs Town Council
History/Origin UNYERRE is the Central and Eastern Arrernte word for the thorny devil lizard.

Unyerre Crescent is named as part of a theme that highlights Arrernte language words for the local flora and fauna, recognising the ongoing connection of the Arrernte people to the land, culture, and community of Alice Springs.

The thorny devil (Moloch horridus) is a small, spiny lizard native to the arid regions of Central Australia. It is well adapted to the harsh desert environment, feeding mainly on ants and able to collect moisture through specialised grooves in its skin.

This lizard holds cultural significance for the Arrernte people, the traditional custodians of the Alice Springs region. It features in Arrernte Dreaming stories that convey knowledge about the land, animals, and their relationships. These stories often highlight the thorny devil's unique adaptations and survival strategies, symbolising resilience and the ability to live sustainably in a challenging environment.

The thorny devil is also represented in Arrernte art and storytelling, serving as a link between people and country, and as a way to pass on ecological knowledge across generations.

Register & Gazettal information

Date Gazettal Comment
14/09/2021 Plan S2021/054 Date added to Register (Certified Plan S2021/054).

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Department of Lands, Planning and Environment.
GPO Box 1680, Darwin NT 0801. Ph 08 8995 5333.
place.names@nt.gov.au

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