Tempe Downs Station
| Company type | Pastoral lease |
|---|---|
| Industry | Agriculture |
| Founded | 1881 |
| Founder | Charles Chewings and investors including RJ Thornton |
| Headquarters | Near Alice Springs , Australia |
Area served | Northern Territory |
| Products | Cattle |
Tempe Downs Station is a pastoral lease situated to the east of Alice Springs within Australia's Northern Territory, encompassing an area of roughly . It shares boundaries with Kings Creek Station and Watarrka National Park and is located on the ancestral lands of the Luritja people.
Early history
The initial pastoral claim on Tempe Downs dates back to 1881, established by explorer and scientist Charles Chewings alongside investors such as RJ Thornton. Cattle were introduced in 1884, with Thornton overseeing operations in partnership with Aboriginal associate Arrarbi. Despite their efforts, the station struggled financially, culminating in a sale in 1893 and a period of abandonment until Bob and Bill Coulthard assumed control in 1906.
In 1891, Northern Territory police officer William Willshire launched an attack on sleeping Aboriginal inhabitants at the station, resulting in two fatalities. Although charged with murder, he was ultimately acquitted after an official inquiry.
The 1894 Horn expedition passed through Tempe Downs, documenting both the region and its people. During this time, Arrarbi served as a tracker and interpreter before returning to the station.
Ownership shifted in 1918 to pastoralist George Bennet, who appointed Trot and Amelia Kunoth as station managers until approximately 1927. Since then, the property has experienced several ownership changes.
In 1947, author Arthur Groom visited Tempe Downs, later recounting his journey in the 1950 publication I Saw a Strange Land and producing photographic records of the station.