Tennant Creek and the Barkly region are preparing for about 10,000 visitors expected to travel to Central Australia for the total solar eclipse on Saturday, July 22, 2028.
Tennant Creek and Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles will sit inside the path of totality. The event could deliver substantial benefits for accommodation providers, restaurants, tour operators and Aboriginal tourism businesses, while testing the region’s limited camping, fuel, water, sanitation and emergency infrastructure.
What time is the eclipse in Tennant Creek?
Current calculations show the partial eclipse beginning in Tennant Creek at approximately 11:16am ACST. Maximum eclipse is expected at about 12:49pm, with the partial phase ending around 2:17pm.
Tennant Creek should experience approximately three minutes and 25 seconds of totality. Local times will vary slightly between Tennant Creek, Karlu Karlu and other viewing locations.
Why totality matters
Totality occurs when the Moon completely covers the Sun’s bright surface. Daylight briefly fades, temperatures may fall and the solar corona becomes visible if skies are clear.
Melbourne Planetarium senior curator of astronomy Tanya Hill said total eclipses occur somewhere in the world about every 18 months, but many cross oceans or inaccessible areas. The 2028 eclipse is significant because its path crosses Australia.
The Moon’s complete shadow will create a pathway about 200 kilometres wide. A location experiencing 99 per cent coverage will not receive the full effect, making it essential for eclipse chasers to remain inside the path of totality.
Why Devils Marbles is a major viewing location
Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles is about 100 kilometres south of Tennant Creek beside the Stuart Highway. Its open landscape, low light pollution and position beneath the eclipse path make it a highly attractive viewing location.
Weather remains the largest unknown. Although Central Australia may offer favourable dry-season conditions, no reliable forecast for July 22, 2028, will be available until closer to the event.
Hotel bookings and camping demand
Devils Marbles Hotel co-manager Jo Oldham said booking enquiries began shortly after management took over in October 2024. The hotel can accommodate about 60 people and is expected to be fully occupied during the eclipse.
Management anticipates needing portable toilets, additional food and fuel, security and safety arrangements as caravans and campers arrive in the area.
The existing Karlu Karlu campground cannot accommodate thousands of visitors. Under current Karlu Karlu camping and visitor rules, sites must be booked and paid for online. Visitors to the Territory also require an NT Parks Visitor Pass.
Generators and drones are prohibited, pets are not allowed in the campground and visitors must remain on designated roads and tracks. Special eclipse access rules may be introduced before 2028.
Government searches for additional sites
Northern Territory Department of Tourism deputy chief executive Valerie Smith said expressions of interest had been opened to identify land and facilities that could support temporary accommodation and viewing areas.
Tour operators have already begun selling eclipse packages. However, the projected 10,000 visitors is a planning estimate rather than a confirmed attendance figure, and officials say the eventual number could be higher.
Barkly Regional Council Mayor Sid Vashist has called for the eclipse to be declared a major event, arguing that the designation could unlock additional resources for Tennant Creek.
Vashist said interest had come from Michelin-starred chefs, potential charter-flight operators and Aboriginal tourism businesses. These enquiries do not yet represent confirmed services.
Cultural tourism and visitor responsibilities
Aboriginal tourism operators are considering cultural experiences on approved land. Karlu Karlu, meaning “round boulders,” is jointly managed with the Kaytete, Warumungu, Warlpiri and Alyawarra Traditional Owners.
Traditional Owners ask visitors not to climb the boulders. Travellers must not enter Aboriginal land, establish roadside camps or use private property without permission.
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Travel arrangements remain unconfirmed
No additional commercial flights, charter schedules, shuttle buses or traffic plans have been announced. Most visitors may need to travel by road, creating possible congestion and pressure on remote fuel supplies.
Travellers should verify that package operators have permission to use advertised sites. They should confirm whether prices include toilets, water, meals, transport and eclipse glasses, while checking cancellation and refund terms.
Those planning for the event can compare its viewing requirements with the Australia Blood Moon eclipse guide. Unlike a lunar eclipse, a solar eclipse requires certified eye protection during its partial phases.
How to watch safely
Regular sunglasses are not safe. Viewers should use undamaged solar glasses meeting the ISO 12312-2 standard before and after totality.
Glasses may be removed only when the Sun is completely covered and must be replaced as soon as direct sunlight reappears. Cameras, telescopes and binoculars require purpose-built filters fitted over the front of their optics.
People selecting an outback location may also find the practical sightline advice in the Geminid meteor shower viewing guide useful.
Official viewing sites, temporary camps, ticketing, road restrictions, shuttle services and emergency arrangements remain under development. Visitors should wait for confirmed government and operator announcements before finalising remote camping or transport plans.
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