Ruby Gap Nature Park

Australia

Ruby Gap Nature Park or Tyweltherreme is a protected area in the Northern Territory of Australia consisting of 9,257 hectares and access to it is through Arltunga Historical Reserve. The park is 150 kilometres from Alice Springs and is the site of Central Australia's first mining rush from 1886. Thi

s discovery was shortly before David Lindsay's discovery of gold at Arltunga, 45 kilometers to the west. By May 1888 there were over 260 people in the area prospecting for rubies at the site. At the beginning of this ruby rush flooded the market for rubies and soon questions arose as to their quality. By June 1888 it was found that the stones being mined were high quality garnets and not rubies. These were of considerably less value then rubies and the market crashed. The traditional owners of this Country are the Eastern Arrernte people (Ulpmerre arenye) and it is a part of the Ulpmerre estate.

Listen to the audio guide for Ruby Gap Nature Park Free on WIP — starts by itself when you arrive, even with the screen off