Fact Sheets & Video - Tennant Creek

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Tennant Creek is approximately 978 km south of the Territory capital, Darwin and 504 km north of Alice Springs.

Now in its 24th year, the races are held annually to coincide with Saint Patrick's Day. Originally it was celebrated with a dance held on behalf of the local Catholic Church, but as the town's interests changed, so did the celebrations. Since its beginnings the races and crowds have grown bigger each year drawing horse trainers from Darwin, Alice Springs and Mt Isa.

The Saint Patrick's Day Races are held in true outback country style right down to the atmosphere, colour and personalities Tennant Creek has to offer. It's a day of fun for the whole family. The main focus of the races is family entertainment. Children can take part in lolly scrambles, footraces and face painting run throughout the day by the local leprechaun. For the big kids there's 3 race bar and food facilities, Two Up, live entertainment and a chance to run in the Chief Minister's 100 meter foot race with a $500 purse for both men and women. For the fashion conscious there are the fashions of the fields.

Tennant Creek is known as the Golden Heart of the Northern Territory partly because of the warm personalities of its people and because it is the site of Australia's last gold rush in the 1930s. Although gold is no longer mined in Tennant Creek you'd be sure to find decedents of the original gold miners in town.

The region is amongst the most important cattle grazing areas in the Northern Territory and is home to some of the world's largest cattle stations. Tennant Creek is roughly the same size as the United Kingdom or New Zealand.

The Town is home to the Warumungu people who make up the majority of the population and whose story is told at the Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Cultural Centre.

The best time to visit Tennant Creek is during the winter (May to October) when the days are warm and dry and the nights are mild. During summer (November to April) you can expect hot dry days with occasional rainfall.

Further Information:

Tennant Creek, NT

Desert Sands Apartments

Self-contained apartments

From $85 a night

Ph: 08 89621346

www.desertsands.com.au

Prices correct at 6/3/08. Prices include surcharges, fees & taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.

Saint Patricks Day Races

15th March 2009

Entry $10 Adults

$5 Kids

Gates Open at 11am

Prices correct at 6/3/08. Prices include surcharges, fees & taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.