Truscott Airbase,Anjo Peninsula WA

Yes there is a "road" in but I have not driven it - still on the list. :)
That area is "strictly off limits" (as is everything west of the King Edward River)according to the Kalumburu Aboriginal Corporation. Getting permission from them may be problematic.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome.

hey guys ,
just watched the show this morning , as far as I,m aware it is very strictly
prohibited area , controlled entry is by ADF ,would like to get into there
some good relics to see ,
mechpete

Truscott is the forward base for helicopter ops into the Timor Sea. You will need both airport owner & local indiginous approval to go there

There used to be a road in from Drysdale River Mission during the war years, but quickly fell into disrepair after the end of WW2. Road was last used about 1990 when SANTOS reopened it and refurbished the runway to use as a supply base for the oil and gas exploration in the area.
The road had long since fallen into disrepair again as it was uneconomical to use.
Everthing in and out of Truscott moves by barge or air. No other choice.
Not much left of war time relics, bush fires and corrosion have seen to that.
Area is still scattered with live munitions, even though the army did a major delousing on the 90's.
Wrecks the used to be viewable were a B24 that crashed during takeoff and a Japanese Dyna, that was shot down over the sea and recovered. A Spitfire that crashed during landing was bulldozed into the scrub during refurbishment in the 90's.
Strip has been refurbished yet again and is now 1400 metres long and lit for night operations.
Base camp can support about 60 personal and is used as a transit point for oil and gas exploration, local pearl farms and Coast watch. The move over 8 million litres of Jet A1 a year through the base.

I was a manager and purchasing officer for the operation, on and off, from 2002 to 2011.

I enquired about driving into Truscott in 2008 and was assured by the locals at Kalumburu that it was still possible at that time.
If you look on Google satellite view now, the road is still quite clear. If it was not in periodic use, sections of it it would disappear from view quite quickly.

None of that overcomes the problems of permission and no doubt it would not be a "Sunday drive".

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

Hi

Not sure if we are talking about the same show but it was only last week that I watched the All 4 Adventure crew drive into Truscott from Drysdale. They were guided in by some of the locals.

The track was as rough as. Apparently a team from the Army that had tried previously had to turn back.

There were signs at Truscott saying no entry and the All 4 Adventure crew were refused admittance. Jason only got in on foot as he needed medical attention for a hernia.

A long and rough trip only to be refused admittance. Good luck with that trip.

Regards
Rowdy

if you re-watch the show again, i'm pretty sure they mention a couple of times in the show that they were granted permission to do that trip. Was a good watch the past 2 episodes i thought

I worked there FIFO for a few years 2009-11 we saw a couple of 4x4 adventures who were not allowed into the airfield.
The area is quite fascinating with a lot of WW2 hardware in the bush. My Dad was in Z Special 1943-46 & staged through there on a few occasions.
Until all parties involved with Truscott work on allowing drive in visitors to transit I'd say its a long way to go to be refused a place to camp.

There is a good book called "Truscott Secret", the diary of Australia's secret wartime Kimberley airbase, 1943-1946, by John and Carol Beasy if you can find a copy. lots of info photos and maps.

If its still operational AND there are unexploded munitions in the area...I doubt that any casual civilian will be allowed admission any time soon.

After all, no casual civilian will get permission to go onto any currently operational airport or military base.

cheers

I drove into Truscott mid 2013 after receiving permission from the TOs, nice track.

Towed my Tvan and mates followed in their D22 Navara. Track is approx 50km long, and took about 6hrs in & 4hrs out.
Had a chat with the shocked airfield workers, viewed the crashed bomber/ old Transport area/ barge landing, and had lunch at the 'remote' beach that the 'Adventure boys' visited.