History

The rocks you can find in the region are the oldest in Central Australia, some are over 1900 million years old. Near Elliott is Lake Woods which was once a huge inland lake over five thousand square kilometres. Around 23,000 years ago, during the last ice age, the lake began to dry out and is now only 420 sq km.

The traditional name for Elliott is Kulumindini and is the traditional home of the Jingili desert people. They suffered the impact of European settlement as their land was overrun and damaged by farmers.

European settlement began in 1862 when John McDouall Stuart passed throught the area. Drovers really opened up the area, the Elliott district lying directly between three major stockroutes; the Barkly Tableland route, the Murranji Track and the North-South route.

The area was called Newcastle Waters, after His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, Secretary for the Colonies. As the area became increasingly important as stockroutes, a stable water supply became essential. In 1917 thirteen water bores were sunk twenty seven kilometres apart and this increased the number of cattle that could use the routes.

The township of Elliott was once Number 8 Bore on Newcastle Waters Station. During World War II the Australian Army developed the area and built the town. The town itself was named after Army Captain R.D (Snow) Elliott MBE.