Mining road between Tom Price and Karratha.
One route for travel between Tom Price and Karratha is the mining access road. This is a dirt road, and a permit is required. Permits can be obtained in person only from the Tom Price and Karratha visitor
centres and the Pannawonnica Library, where a safety video must first be watched. Lights must be turned on while on this road.
In addition the permit can be applied for on line at Rio Tinto with viewing the safety requirements being part of the application
process. This route is about 318 kilometres distance between Tom Price and Karratha. See Mudmap.
1. The road
is part of a mining lease, consequently no alcohol may be taken onto the road at any time.
2. Driver/s must be prepared to meet heavy
railway maintenance vehicles at all times.
3. Rio Tinto may request you to stop and submit to a random breath test at any times whilst
travelling along the Access Road.
4. Sections of the road have steep grades and sharp curves. SLOW speed is strongly advised.
5. In
heavy rain, many sections of this maintenance road are dangerous or impassable due to flash flooding or washouts. Check that the road
is open prior to commencing journey, particularly after rains.
6. User/s of the road are required to slow down when passing men or
equipment anywhere along the road or railway line.
7. Where the road crosses the railway line, vehicles are required to stop to check
that the line is clear and give way to all rail traffic.
8. Vehicles with an overall length greater than 8 metres are not permitted
on this road between 259 km and 279 km. Rock barriers to prevent passage of such vehicles are in place at 273 km and 278 km.
9. For
heavy and over gauge loads, piloting is required.
10. Headlights must be switched on whilst travelling on the Access Road.
An alterative public road between Karratha and Tom Price is being constructed and at present is open from Karratha to Millstream, with much of it being a sealed road, with plans to extend this road to Tom Price. Update: The final section, with a length of 108 kilometres, is due for commencement in 2022. See progress map.
To travel between Tom Price and Karratha avoiding the mining access road, heading north to the Wittenoom-Roebourne Road and west to Chichester-Millstream Natoinal Park to meet the new road to Karratha covers approximately 380 kilometres of which some is stony, and there is a cutting on the way to the Wittenoom Road on which trailers are not permitted.
For those not wanting to travel on dirt roads, there is a longer and still scenic sealed
road from Tom Price to the
Alternatively, via the Great Northern Highway to meet the North West Coastal Highway near Port Hedland is 573 kilometres to reach Karratha, and more suited to those visiting Karijini National Park without going to Tom Price.
Most people travelling around
You can now apply on line at Woomera Prohibited Area Tourist Access Permit
Or contact:
Defence Support Centre
Phone: (08) 8674 3370
Fax: (08) 8674 3308
To apply for a permit for Maralinga Tjarutja Lands contact
Administrator Maralinga Tjaruta Lands
43 McKenzie Street Ceduna SA 5690
Phone (08) 8625 2946 or fax (08) 8625 3076
or email senioradmin@maralinga.com.au.
Fees apply and can be seen on Maralinga Tjarutja Lands Permit Application,
currently $25 per vehicle. Allow four to eight weeks for this permit to be processed.
Camping fees are an additional $12 per night.
Maralinga is now open for visits by the general public by arrangement with
Caretaker of Maralinga, Mr Robin Matthews
Phone: (08) 8670 4089
Email: robin.matthews@y7mail.com
To
apply for a permit to travel through Mamungari
The opportunity to travel to Katjarra (Carnarvon Ranges) was provided through a Trial Permit during the month of July 2014. The ranges, to the west of Well 6 on the Canning Stock Route, had remained closed to the public since 2008. This proved unviable and further access was suspended.