Woomera, an Aussie town where post World War II military secrets are uncovered. Wander among once highly prized secrets now obsolete pieces of military history. The amazing outdoor display of 1950’s – 1960’s rockets, missiles and aircraft is testament to Australia’s role in world events.
The outdoor park is augmented by the Heritage Centre with its narration of Woomera’s past from its original Aboriginal inhabitants to the era of military experiments, testing and innovation. During the 1960s Woomera had a population of over 5000. Today the population is around 120.
WOOMERA HIGHLIGHTS
- Entrance to Woomera is past an orderly arrangement of military style barracks, houses and immaculately kept public spaces.
- The Rocket & Missile Park is intriguing. You can touch, peer and wonder about the role each rocket, missile and aircraft played in the development of military power. There is excellent signage describing individual pieces.
- The Woomera Heritage Centre outlines the geology of South Australia’s arid interior, human occupation and the role Woomera played in post WWII military cooperation between Australia, United Kingdom, NASA (United States of America). Woomera Heritage Centre facilities include a convenience store, visitor information centre, café and public toilets, plus a bowling alley.
- Woomera Baker Observatory has a 3.5m purpose-built fibreglass dome housing a telescope installed in 2020. Visitors will be able to see planets, star clusters and nebulae. Open Friday evenings from around 8:30 pm until late. Bookings essential to avoid disappointment.
- Len Beadell surveyed the area and mapped out the firing range in 1947. Visit his final resting place at the Woomera Cemetery.
Today Woomera township is open to the public. Its main appeal is the Woomera Heritage Centre and the Missile Park.
WOOMERA LOCATION
LOT 101 Dewrang Ave, Woomera SA 5720,
Woomera is located 491 km north of Adelaide via Port Augusta. It is 188 km north of Port Augusta and 165 m above sea level.
WOOMERA BAKER OBSERVATORY
INTERESTING FACTS
- The Woomera Prohibited Area is the largest land-based missile and rocket range in the western world. Initially a joint project between Britain and Australia, the site continues to host space activities for Australian and international defence and aerospace organisations.
- In the 1960s, NASA operated a deep-space tracking station 25 km south of Woomera at Island Lagoon.
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