Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary (australianwildlife.org; free), 136km west off the Tanami Track, sprawls over 2620 sq km and ranks among Australia's most important conservation projects. An inspiration for large-scale ecological restoration, it’s turning the tide against feral cats, estimated at 15 million nationwide and each killing up to five native animals a night. At Newhaven, fences and science-backed programs give threatened species a fighting chance, and the 83 reptiles and 170 bird species here are thriving. Milestones include reintroducing brushtail possums (2024) and golden bandicoots (2023), and the first red goshawk sighting in 30 years.
Sign in at the headquarters, then head for the simple Newhaven Campground (adult/child per night $10/5) or "homestead," open April to September. Unpowered sites have showers, toilets and drinking water. At dusk, follow the marked path to the hilltop for unbroken outback vistas; take a jacket.
From the main info post, grab the latest map for 4WD self-drives, nearly 300km of routes looping through weathered salt flats and scrub. The Lakes (50km) and Dunes (40km) return tours are standouts. The Lakes route finishes with a short walk across a pristine creek to a dune-top lookout over Lake Bennett. Be prepared for water crossings.
Part of the Great Sandy Desert, Newhaven belongs to the Ngalia Warlpiri people – a successful native title land claim was finalized in 2010. The Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) works in close partnership with the traditional owners, and many of those employed here come from the local community.
Landscapes are varied, from rocky desert massifs and sand dunes to salt lakes, clay-pans, spinifex plains, and mulga and eucalyptus woodlands. These varied habitats have long provided shelter for species such as the black-footed rock-wallaby (one of 27 mammal species) and the great desert skink (one of 83 reptile species), as well 170 different types of bird. Once nonnative predators have been removed from the area, AWC hopes to introduce 11 nationally threatened or endangered species such as the mala (otherwise known as the rufous hare-wallaby, currently extinct in the wild) and the golden bandicoot.
