Haasts Bluff

History

The Haasts Bluff community takes its name from the nearby outcrop, given this name in 1872 by the explorer Ernest Giles, after the German-born New Zealand geologist, Julius von Haast. The locality was established as a Lutheran mission in 1946, and is home to Western Arrernte, Pintupi and Pitjantjatjara people. The term "Finke River Mission" was initially an alternative name for the Hermannsburg Mission, but this name was later often used to include the settlements at Haasts Bluff, Areyonga and, later, Papunya. It now refers to all Lutheran missionary activity in Central Australia since the first mission was established at Hermannsburg in 1877.

Most-observed species

• Central Australian Rock Rat

  Zyzomys pedunculatus (Waite, 1896) · Mammalia
  20
• Zebra Finch

  Taeniopygia guttata (Vieillot, 1817) · Aves
  13
• Willie-wagtail

  Rhipidura leucophrys (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  10
• Singing Honeyeater

  Gavicalis virescens (Vieillot, 1817) · Aves
  10
• Fat-tailed false antechinus

  Pseudantechinus macdonnellensis (Spencer, 1896) · Mammalia
  9
• Crested Pigeon

  Ocyphaps lophotes (Temminck, 1822) · Aves
  9
• Budgerigar

  Melopsittacus undulatus (Shaw, 1805) · Aves
  8
• Crested Bellbird

  Oreoica gutturalis (Vigors & Horsfield, 1827) · Aves
  8

Most recent

• M 4.1 — 2026-05-21
  220 km WNW of Larapinta, Australia
• M 2.8 — 2006-06-15
  223 km WNW of Larapinta, Australia