Ngaanyatjarra Lands School - Warakurna Campus

Warakurna is located at the Western end of the picturesque Rawlinson Ranges near an underground water supply. It is home to 180 Yarnangu people. The community is situated about 6 kms from the Giles Meteorological Weather Station.

The Giles weather station was established in 1956 on a site excised from the Lands to provide meteorological information to support the nuclear weapon testing. Those Yarnangu still living in the area were taken by Native Patrol Officers from their country to Warburton Mission or other government settlements in the region. This was done to protect them from rocket debris from the “Blue Streak” research project.

As a result some Yarnangu from this area were taken to Warburton Mission, and a few other communities. In the early 1970’s several factors, including the availability of government funding for homelands, easier road access, over-crowding at Docker River settlement and Warburton Mission, led to the return of families to their country. The community was incorporated in 1976.

Warakurna houses the administrative headquarters for the Ngaanyatjarra Lands School adjacent to the Warakurna campus buildings.