Magnitude-6.1 quake hits central Australia

A magnitude-6.1 earthquake has struck the Northern Territory about 450km southwest of Alice Springs, but no damage or injury has been reported.

A magnitude-5.9 earthquake has rattled the Northern Territory this morning. (AAP)

One of the biggest earthquakes in Australia's recent history has shaken the Northern Territory.

The magnitude-6.1 quake hit at 3.44am (ACST) on Saturday about 125km west of Uluru and 450km southwest of Alice Springs, according to Geoscience Australia.

"Australia in recorded history hasn't had that many earthquakes of magnitude-6 and above," Geoscience Australia senior seismologist Jonathan Bathgate told AAP.

In 1997 a magnitude-6.2 earthquake struck off the WA coast and in 1988 Australia's largest earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.6, was recorded at Tennant Creek.

Mr Bathgate said Saturday's earthquake had mainly been felt by people in tourist areas surrounding Uluru, but one report had been received far away at Coober Pedy.

"It certainly is a sparsely populated area and that's probably a very lucky aspect," he said.

NT police said there has been no reports of damage or injury from the shake.