Karlu Karlu Conservation Reserve, one of the Northern Territory’s most remarkable natural landmarks and one of outback Australia’s most widely photographed sites, has been designated an International Dark Sky Sanctuary by DarkSky International, recognising the exceptional quality of its night skies and commitment to protecting its nocturnal environment.
The accreditation comes ahead of the total solar eclipse on 22nd July 2028, during which Karlu Karlu will fall within the path of totality. Visitors to the region will enjoy the Moon completely obscuring the Sun over the reserve for almost five minutes, providing another extraordinary opportunity to experience the skies above the Northern Territory, Australia.
Famous for its large, striking granite boulders and cultural significance for the Aboriginal people of the area, Karlu Karlu Conservation Reserve is located 100 kilometers south (1-hour drive) of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory.
Karlu Karlu may be the Northern Territory’s newest internationally recognised stargazing location, but extraordinary night skies can be experienced across the Territory. Near Alice Springs, Earth Sanctuary offers telescope-led astronomy tours and Sunset to Sunrise glamping with dinner, campfire astronomy and observatory access. At Uluru, Outback Sky Journeys explores the southern night sky, while Sounds of Silence pairs outdoor dining overlooking Uluru and Kata Tjuta with a guided star talk.
In Kakadu, the Dird Full Moon Dinner brings together Indigenous culture, storytelling, food and the night sky. At Nitmiluk Gorge, the two-day Barrak Barrak canoe adventure includes wilderness camping beneath the stars, while remote Bullo River Station offers exceptional stargazing across its 400,000-acre outback property.
Bruce Munro’s Field of Light at Uluru has also been extended to 2029, with dinner and star-talk experiences combining immersive art with the natural night sky.
In 2037, a total solar eclipse will cross the Red Centre, bringing more than three minutes of totality to Australia's outback icon, Uluru.
