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Home > Tips and Hints > Trip planning and safety > Passes and Permits > Permits for transiting Aboriginal Lands

What passes and permits will you need when travelling in Australia?  Obtaining permits to transit through Aboriginal land

Permits to travel through Aboriginal Lands

The following advice refers to transit permits; used by the tourist when taking roads passing through specific Aboriginal lands where permits are required.  Your permit will state the conditions of entry.  Generally only camping is permitted in designated areas, and the permit is for transit by road with no diversion, other than to purchase fuel and or supplies at communities along the route.  To spend time in Aboriginal lands for other reasons such as mining exploration or research, a different application needs to be submitted.  The following apply to the more common tourist routes.  More specific permits may be needed to visit other Aboriginal areas which are generally not on the main tourist routes and application processing may take some weeks.  Permit fees may apply to enter some Aboriginal communities. 

 

In Western Australia, the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage website has on line application forms for travel through Aboriginal lands.  In most cases there is no charge for these permits.  A permit to travel the Great Central Road between Northern Territory and Laverton can be obtained from the Ngaanyatjarra Office in Alice Springs in person or by fax (eg from Yulara Visitor Centre or Tjukayirla Roadhouse).  While some transit permits can be obtained quickly, others, such as to closed communities and roads including the Gary Junction Road, require special approval.  This can take a number of weeks, and approval is not guaranteed.  Apply  here   

 

Some permits require payment, and the most expensive is to visit  Surveyor General’s Corner, with a per car fee of $100 plus $20 per person, which includes the cost of a local guide. SeeNgaanyatjarra Entry Permits, including visiting Surveyor General's Corner.

 

A permit is required to travel the entire length of the Canning Stock Route at a total cost of $175.  See details on Permits to travel the Canning Stock Route.  The opportunity to travel to Katjarra (Carnarvon Ranges) was provided through a Trial Permit during the month of July 2014.  This did not continue after the trial period.  The ranges, to the west of Well 6 on the Canning Stock Route, have remained closed to the public since 2008.  

   

The Kidson Track (WAPET Road) has become the Nyangumarta Highway following a Native Title ruling, and a permit is required.  This can be purchased from Four Wheel Drive Australia and costs $55.  This permit was implemented 1st March 2015. The brochure at the above link also states that "You will need a permit for the Canning Stock Route to purchase fuel in Kunawarritji".  Kunawarritji is near the intersection of the Gary Junction Route with the Canning Stock Route, and a fuelling point for travellers in each direction.  Those intersecting the Canning Stock Route near Kunawarritji when travelling the Gary Junction Road are in reality not required to present a permit to purchase fuel. 

 

On arrival at Kalumburu in the northern Kimberley, a visitor permit costing $50 per vehicle (or $25 per person where visitors come by coach or air) must be obtained from the community via the Community Resource Centre or the Uraro Store.  This can be by mail prior to the visit, but allow four weeks to receive your permit.  The office may not be open during the lunch hour or outside of office hours of 8.30 am to 4.30 pm weekdays.    This permit is in addition to the free transit permit required to visit Kalumburu, and is only for seven days.

 

Commencing 2018, a permit is required to visit the Mitchell Plateau including Mitchell Falls and the access road (Port Warrender Road).  Cost is $45 per person for up to five days, with longer periods being $45 for each further up to five day extension - check for up to date prices.  Applications via the Wunambal Gaambera website.  Allow time for processing and posting. 

 

         

In the Northern Territory, there are four land coumcils, each with a separate website. 

 

The Central Land Council

 

Administers permits for the southern section of the state.

 

A Mereenie Loop (between Hermannsburg and Kings Canyon) can now be obtained FREE from the CLC office in Alice Springs, otherwise the permit costs $5.00 per car to cover the cost of the brochure when purchased at the Alice Springs tourist office, and they allow a three day travel 'window' with the permit being purchased up to five days in advance.  SeePermits.  Mereenie Loop permits can also be purchased at varying proves from Hermannsburg Ntaria Store $10.00, Glen Helen Resort $5.00 and Kings Canyon Resort $5.50.  Prices shown may not be current.  Out of town outlets may not allow the same flexibility of travel times. This permit is not available on line. 

 

For those travelling through Atnetye Land on the Hay River Track, a permit needs to be obtained.  Please apply for any entry for the Hay River Track here and then email the application number along with details of vehicles and the number of people travelling to batton.hill@outlook.com

 

The Northern Land Council Administers permits for the northern section of the state. 

 

The Tiwi Land Council administers the Tiwi Islands. 

 
            TheAnindilyakwa Land Council manages the Groote Archipelago.

 

Permits may apply to travel through Aboriginal lands if venturing off the beaten track.  Check with the

Land Council for that area. 

In South Australia permits are required to travel through Aboriginal lands in the northern part of the state.

 

For travel over aboriginal lands in the northern part of South Australia, which includes for example, the Giles-Mulga Park Road from Mulga Park Station to Wingellina, contact the Anangu Pitjantjatjara/Yankunyjatjara Land Council.

For more about permits to travel the Anne Beadell Highway click here.  See permits for contacts to obtain permits for Maralinga Tjaruta Lands, Woomera Prohibited Area and Mamungari Conservation Park.

There are no specific routes which require Aboriginal lands transit permits to be pre-arranged in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria or Tasmania. 

 

A permit for the route to the tip of Cape York in far north Queensland is included in the Jardine Ferry ticket.  See Question and Answer Permits required to travel Cape York Peninsula

 

There is a small Aboriginal land area on the west coast of Tasmania at Preminghana, named after the Aboriginal name for the hill now known as Mount Cameron West.    Permission to visit can be obtained from the caretakers who live on site.  Access to Mount Cameron West (Preminghana) is not permitted. 

 

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For other permits such as mining land and the Canning Stock Route, click here
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