Wauchope is located on the traditional lands of the Warumungu, Kaytetye, Alyawarra and Warlpiri peoples, who have lived in the region for thousands of years.
The settlement was established in 1917 to support nearby wolfram (tungsten) mining and surrounding Barkly Tablelands cattle stations. Mining activity continued on and off for decades, largely depending on tungsten prices, with the Commonwealth Government briefly operating the mines during World War II before closures due to low returns.The historic
Wauchope Hotel opened in 1930 and became a
well-known stop for miners, station workers and travellers. Today, little remains of the old mining operations, although historic photos can still be viewed inside the hotel.