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History
The Woomera ‘Village’, as it has been known, was established to accommodate and support scientists, technicians and workers who came to the Woomera Rocket Range following its development in 1947 as a joint Australian and British project for testing experimental rockets, weapons and missiles.
Later the range was used as a test and development centre for the joint European Launcher Development Organisation (ELDO) – a partnership between the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and France. Between 1964 and 1970 Belgium, Holland and Italy launched the Europa series of rockets from the Range.
Woomera, which is named from the Aboriginal word for a spear-thrower, has also supported the Narrungar tracking station established under the joint defence program between the Australian and American governments. This facility closed in 2000.
During the 1960s Woomera’s population would fluctuate between 3 000 and 5 000 depending on the test programs but with the closing of the Narrungar facility has reduced to a present level of 300.
The establishment of the Detention Centres for illegal immigrants has provided some population support over the last two years but these have now been closed with the remaining detainees still in the centres being moved south to Port Augusta.
Until 1982 access to Woomera was restricted to the public but it is now an open town and the Commonwealth Department of Defence, which administers the town through the support contractor BAE Systems, welcomes visitors to view and enjoy its significant and impressive facilities.
Special attractions
A key attraction is the Heritage and Visitor Information Centre that houses a remarkable collection of memorabilia, ordinance and restored replicas that relate to the Range’s past activities. The town is planned and laid-out and contains among its structures a theatre, a swimming centre, a top-class sports ground, an observatory and, until very recently, its own radio station.
Tourist services
There is comfortable accommodation available at the ELDO hotel and the Travellers Village complex caters for caravans, camping and backpacker accommodation. Meals are available at five locations including the hotel, the bowling club and the sports club bar.
There is a small shopping complex and seven-day fuel is available at Pimba, six kilometres to the south.
Community Economic Development Plan 
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