Joint Defense Facility Nurrungar

The site sits quietly in the remote outback, surrounded by open land and low hills, with large plain buildings enclosed by high fences and barbed wire that create a sense of security and isolation.

Built in 1969 during the Cold War, the facility worked with satellites to detect missile tests and nuclear explosions, playing a secret but important role in early warning systems for Australia and the United States.

The facility represented the close alliance between Australia and the United States but also sparked controversy and protests, as many locals worried that its presence could make Australia a target during international conflicts and tensions.

The site was closed in 1999 and its functions moved to Pine Gap near Alice Springs, with most buildings now empty and stripped, though some areas are still occasionally used for military testing and remain protected.

A large white dome, called a radome, once covered a satellite dish and still stands on the grounds today, silent and stripped of equipment, surrounded by unused tennis courts and empty secure rooms that feel frozen in time.

Location: South Australia

Inception: 1969

Address: 0e/32-34 Broadbent Terrace, Whyalla SA 5600, Australia

GPS coordinates: -31.32380,136.77700

Latest update: December 3, 2025 22:16