Woomera Rocket Range
Immediately after World War 2 the world descended into a Cold War. The German V-Weapons demonstrated that war as undertaken during World War 2 was to be transformed with nuclear armed ballistic missiles.
It was this immediate aftermath of World War 2 that the Australia and British governments formed the Anglo-Australian Joint Project that created the Woomera Rocket Range and the associated Research and Development facility in Salisbury near Adelaide.
It was the largest and most expensive scientific and engineering activity ever conducted in Australia in peacetime. Woomera was the biggest instrumented land range in the world.
The equipment used and tested at Woomera was at the forefront of technology especially in fine mechanics, advanced optics, telemetry, and rocket fuel chemistry. Later the range played host to the European Launcher Development Organisation (ELDO), the British Black Arrow and the Australian Weapons Research Establishment Satellite (WRESAT).
The successful launch of the WRESAT in 1967 gained Australian international recognition and membership of the exclusive “Space Club”.
While participating in programs conducted here, Australia was in the forefront of scientifically and technologically advanced nations. The range resulted in significant foreign investment creating thousands of jobs and the training in the United Kingdom of Australian scientists, engineers and technicians in advanced technical disciplines.
Engineering Heritage Recognition Program
| Marker Type | National Engineering Landmark (NEL) |
| Award Date | October 1999 |
| Heritage Significance | Woomera was the largest and most expensive single R&D-cum-engineering activity ever conducted in Australia in peacetime. |
| Nomination Document | Available here. |
| Ceremony Booklet Ceremony Report |
Available here. |
| Plaque/Interpretation Panel | Not Installed. |
