Lake Mary Ann

Lake Mary Ann is an artificial recreational lake located approximately 5 kilometres north of Tennant Creek in the Barkly region of the Northern Territory, Australia. Constructed to provide a water-based recreation area for the town, it is set in a semi-arid landscape with a sandy beach, walking track and bird habitat. The lake is notable as the main outdoor swimming and picnic destination for Tennant Creek residents and visitors travelling along the Stuart Highway.

Visitors can expect a man-made desert lake with a sandy foreshore, calm water and open bushland surrounds. The reserve features a 2.5 km walking track around the lake, shaded picnic and barbecue areas, toilets and a small beach area for swimming and paddling. The setting is quiet and natural, with birdlife, interpretive signage and views across the water, suitable for picnics, leisurely walks, photography and non-motorised water activities.

Lake Mary Ann was constructed as an artificial lake on Mary Ann Creek to create a recreational water body for Tennant Creek. Developed with support from the local council and Northern Territory Government, it was established to provide a safe swimming and leisure area for the community in an arid region with limited natural surface water.

The lake serves as the principal community recreation and social gathering place for Tennant Creek and the wider Barkly region, used for family picnics, community events and outdoor leisure. It is valued locally as an oasis in the desert landscape and a stopover point for travellers on the Stuart Highway.