Woomera, town in south central Australia, in the state of South Australia. Woomera lies inland from Spencer Gulf, northwest of Port Augusta, and west of Lake Torrens. Woomera serves as a military barracks for the Long Range Weapons Establishment, a testing area 500 km (310 mi) long that the public is not allowed to visit. The area is also known as the Woomera Prohibited Area. The town of Woomera was closed to the public until 1982. the United Kingdom tested atomic weapons at the site between 1953 and 1963; the contamination caused by the tests is one of the reasons the larger area remains closed. Woomera lies off the Sturt Highway and the Trans-Australian Railway. It is also served by an airport. Woomera has a military heritage center and is a minor tourist center. Nearby are mineral deposits, including copper, opals, silver, gold, and uranium. Woomera is an Aboriginal word for a stick used to throw spears. Population (1991) 1,833.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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