Haasts Bluff, Northern Territory

town in the Northern Territory, Australia

Haasts Bluff (PintupiLuritja: Ikuntji), is an Aboriginal Australian community in the Northern Territory. The town is about 227 kilometres (141 mi) west of Alice Springs. The closest neighbouring town is Papunya, about 20 kilometres (12 mi) north. In the 2006 census, 207 people were recorded to live in the town and in nearby outstations.[1]

Haasts Bluff
Haasts Bluff, Northern Territory is located in Northern Territory
Haasts Bluff, Northern Territory
Location of Haasts Bluff

The town is named after the nearby rocky outcrop. The outcrop was given this name in 1872 by the explorer Ernest Giles, who named it after the New Zealand geologist, Julius von Haast.[2] The name in the local Aboriginal language is Ikuntji, which means "where the creeks cross".

The town was established as a Lutheran mission in 1946. It is home to Western Arrernte, Pintupi and Pitjantjatjara people.[3] Many of these people work as artists in the local artist co-operative, Ikuntji Artists.

References change

  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Haasts Bluff and Outstations (Indigenous Location)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2009-08-05.
  2. Clune, Frank (March 1957). "Albert Namatjira, Our great Aboriginal painter" (PDF). Dawn. 6 (3). Aborigines Welfare Board, NSW: 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
  3. "Ikuntji (Haasts Bluff)". World Vision Australia. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2012-10-23.

23°26′49″S 131°52′55″E / 23.447°S 131.882°E / -23.447; 131.882