Place Names Register Extract

Arulte Atwatye Conservation Reserve

Extract date: 05/06/2026

Name Arulte Atwatye Conservation Reserve
Type Designation Reserve
Place Id 16873713
Place Type Administrative Area
Status Assigned
Date Registered 27 February 1981
Location (Datum GDA94)  
Latitude: -22° 48' S (Decimal degrees -22.80615)
Longitude: 133° 25' E (Decimal degrees 133.41728)
Locality / Suburb  
  Anmatjere
Local Government Area  
  Central Desert Shire Council
Alternate Names  
  Native Gap Conservation Reserve
  Reserve No. 1645
History/Origin Arulte Atwatye Conservation Reserve is a small reserve located adjacent to the Stuart Highway between Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. The name Arulte Atwatye (pronounced ar-all-ta art-wa-cha) is derived from the Arrernte words for 'back of the shoulder' (arulte) and 'gap in mountain range' (atwatye).

The reserve was originally declared in 1981 as Reserve No. 1645 and then named Native Gap Conservation Reserve. In 2026, the name was formally changed to Arulte Atwatye Conservation Reserve at the request of the Traditional Owners and Custodians to recognise the traditional Aboriginal name for the location. The site is a significant gathering place for Aboriginal people, who continue to value and protect the spiritual significance of the area.

The former European name, Native Gap, refers to a 'Native Well situated in a Gap in Hann's Range' recorded by surveyor William Whitfield Mills in 1872 during the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line. This well was an important water source for the Aboriginal inhabitants of the area and subsequently supported the Overland Telegraph construction party in 1871. The well was later destroyed during an attempt to expand the water supply using explosives.

Register & Gazettal information

Date Gazettal Comment
13/02/1981 NTG G6 Declaration of reserve. Reserve No. 1645. Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976.
27/02/1981 NTG G8 Naming of reserve. Native Gap Conservation Reserve, formerly known as Reserve No. 1645. Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976.
23/09/2009 NTG G38 Redeclaration of reserve. Native Gap Conservation Reserve. Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976.
23/04/2026 NTG G8 Change of name from Native Gap Conservation Reserve to Arulte Atwatye Conservation Reserve. Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976.

The Northern Territory Gazetteer is maintained by the Place Names Section,
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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