Statement of Heritage Value

Established in 1877 the mission was the initial point of contact between the western Aranda and the European cultures. The mission provided a sanctuary and source of medical assistance for Aranda people during the contact period. For many years it was the largest settlement in central Australia.

Following a spasmodic start the mission was staffed by Pastor Carl Strehlow who constructed most of the extant buildings between 1897 and 1910. The buildings comprise a wide variety of construction techniques that largely utilise local materials. The complex is of outstanding townscape value.

Hermannsburg is associated with a number of people of importance to the history of the Northern Territory. Carl Strehlow and his son T.G.H. Strehlow undertook the detailed recording of the Aranda language and culture. The high esteem in which they were held by the Aranda made it possible for them to produce records that still provide baseline documentation for ethnographic research. Hermannsburg was also the home of Albert Namatjira, one of Australia’s most famous landscape artists.

Aranda is the 3rd largest language spoken in NT. Census 2006.