Earthquake rattles outback near NT-SA border

By AAP Newswire

Apr 5, 2026

A 5.3 magnitude earthquake has rocked the outback on the Northern Territory-South Australian border, according to Geoscience Australia.

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The quake hit around 4.30am (AEST) and the epicentre was south of Yulara, a township near Uluru and south-west of Alice Springs.

Beyonce Matthew, who was on the night shift at Sails In The Desert Hotel, said some guests woke up to the rumbling.

"It was only for a few minutes," she told AAP.

"The doors were shaking, but nothing fell off the bookshelves."

She said it was a bit of a surprise.

"A few guests woke up and felt it."

The US Geological Survey said the quake was 77km south-southwest of Yulara and registered the quake at a 5.5 magnitude.

There are no early reports of damage.

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