Woomera Attractions

Off Dewrang Avenue.

Len Beadell is widely recognised as the last of the true Australian explorers. From a young age he had an interest in surveying, beginning his career on a military mapping project in New South Wales during WWII.

Len Beadell has special significance to Woomera Village and the Rocket Range as he conducted the initial surveys needed to establish the sites. He was also responsible for opening up more than 2.5 million square kilometres of the Great Sandy, Gibson and Great Victoria Deserts.

In 1958 as Range Reconnaissance Officer at the Weapons Research Establishment he was awarded the British Empire Medal for his involvement in the establishment of the Gunbarrell Highway, which stretches 1600 kilometres across Central Australia.

In 1987 astronomers at the Mount Palomar Observatory in California named a newly discovered asteroid after Len in recognition of the road network he created which allowed access to the meteorite craters they were studying. In 1988 Len was awarded the medal of the Order of Australia in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. He is also the author of six best-selling books about his life in Outback Australia.

In 1995 Len Beadell passed away and soon after a memorial was built in the centre of Champion Mall. Len Beadell's final resting place is at the Woomera Cemetary, where a memorial is located.

Len Beadell's books, videos and tapes can be purchased from the Woomera Visitor Information Centre.