The place sort of starts to remind you of the third world. The night patrol utility van with cage picks up petrol sniffing trouble-makers for their own good before the police do. To combat drunken hooliganism the Northern Territory has mandatory one year minimum prison sentences for any property offence. Aboriginal suicide deaths in custody are notoriously high. Obviously the Lutheran Missionaries failed in whatever they were attempting to do, but so did everyone else, especially the government.
Aboriginal poverty is an intractable problem.
There are many communities like Hermannsburg, it is just that this place is more often visited and readily accessible by tourists. Medecins de Frontiers, a third world health aid agency is considering setting up in outback Australia. Finke Gorge National Park is accessible only by 4WD vehicles. It is like a tropical oasis in the middle of the desert and is a very popular trip. The spectacular Ayres Rock is Australia s most famous natural attraction.