Favourite Place #1 - Wycliffe Well, Northern Territory

Wycliffe Well’s claim to be the UFO capital of Australia (if not the world!) makes it unique among the roadhouse/diner/pub/motel/caravan park/store/motel complexes en route to Darwin. The aliens at the roadhouse entrance, souvenir alien imprint caps and stubbie holders inside and press clippings detailing UFO sightings over the years pasted to the walls are just the beginning.

Through the gates into the motel and campground the building walls are awash with UFO and alien abduction murals and the grounds full of bizarre statues (the Phantom, the Hulk, a giant spotted pig) dot the grounds. We headed for the ‘Elvis’ campsite right up near the Galaxy Auditorium opposite the train station where the train makes a daily trip through the park, past Mt Wycliffe and part way around the lakes, before reversing back to the station as there’s not yet enough track of the right gauge to go right round.

Climbing Mt Wycliffe - built from cunningly painted corrugated iron against the side of the machinery shed - is easy. A staircase leads from ground to summit with stunning views over the Wycliffe Well realm. From here, you can spot any statues (and hence photo opportunities) you’ve missed! And the roadhouse museum full of random eclectica from around the world offers a welcome diversion when you’re over watching botched reverse parking as travelers attempt to fit their rigs into not-quite-standard-sized sites.

If you’re not up to the Galaxy Auditorium restaurant for dinner or the large selection of exotic beers, the redclaw in the fishing lakes, fed by an underground aquifer, might do the trick! The water purity makes this one of the best spots in the Northern Territory to fill up your tanks.

And if there’s not enough excitement at the park, the Devil’s Marbles are an easy 20 minute drive north up the highway, perfect for those archetypal outback sunrise/sunset shots over the rocks (see Scenic Public Toilets #1).

Someone with a vivid imagination, determination and healthy dose of eccentricity has developed this outback oasis into one of the quirkiest spots in the country! And one of my personal favourites!!