Dunmarra
Where is Dunmarra? Located 314 km south of Katherine in the N.T. and only 8km south of the junction of the Buchanan and Stuart Highways.
Dunmarra is a roadhouse, which combines a caravan park with motel accommodation, petrol (very important) and a bar - also very important.
Dunmarra is famous for its role in the history of the Overland Telegraph Line. It was 27klm south of Dunmarra that the construction team moving from the south met the construction team, that had been building the line from the north. The northern and southern parts of the overland telegraph were finally joined about one mile west of this spot on 22nd August 1872. The outcome of these efforts was the first instantaneous telegraph communication between Australia and Great Britain.
The origin of the name Dunmarra has a sad history. Dan O'Mara was a linesman who became lost in the bush in the early '30's. A drover by the name of Noel Healy established a cattle station here and found O'Mara's skeleton in the bush. The local Aboriginal people's attempts to say his name sounded like "Dunmarra", and that was the name Healey gave to his station.
Accommodation is available at the Dunmarra Wayside Inn or caravan park Phone (08) 8975 9922.
