The truth is out (back) there, somewhere in a wacky desert town in the middle of the Red Centre. Located between Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, Wycliffe Well in the Northern Territory could be Australia’s answer to Roswell. The self-proclaimed UFO capital of Australia comes with alien street lamps and murals, bright green alien mannequins and even a spaceship-themed McDonald’s. You’d think it’s nothing more than an Aussie kitsch, but Wycliffe Well is well known for its UFO sightings, so much so that it’s considered one of the top five places in the world for extraterrestrial activity, even getting a shoutout from TIME and Lonely Planet. So if you’re trying to spot your very first alien, you know where to go.
Wycliffe Well, Northern Territory
Usually visited as a stop-over by travellers on the road, Wycliffe Well has built a reputation as a UFO hotspot. The hand-painted welcome sign says it all: “Wycliffe Well UFO capital of Australia” followed by “Humans also welcome.” The roadhouse has a restaurant with walls covered in newspaper clippings, all telling stories of UFO sightings. The website of the now-closed Wycliffe Well Holiday Park boldly states — “if you stayed up all night looking you would be considered unlucky not to see anything.”
Despite its whimsical appearance, UFO sightings here date back to World War II when people would keep records of alien sightings. The best time to visit is supposedly between May and October when the weather is cooler mainly because the town is known for its intense heat.
Wishing for a close encounter with the Third Kind? It’s a bit of a journey from Sydney but don’t let that deter you if you’re on the hunt for extraterrestrials. Read more about this quirky spot here.