Gunbarrell closure?

Warning against what & what is the true sense of a road closure?
As far as I can see there are only 2 words on the sign, so it shouldn't be too hard to understand!

Typical pathetic negative response that I would expect from you Shaker

I would say road closed. You will always get the know all fools who will ignore these signs. It is not a warning sign at all, the same as a stop sign is not a "slow down, you,ll be right" sign. It is clear in its message. The idiots who ignore it and drive on regardless are the ones who see all travellers tarred with the same brush. Now it could have been put there by local indigenous mob for ceremonial reasons. Often happens out bush. Could have been put there by coppers following up on a crime. Council may have put it there for the road being impassable.

Couldn,t get a clearer message IMHO.

Equinox, you obviously subscribe to the theory that attack is the best form of defence.
Are you also going to attack Bigfish for his response?
The sooner people realise that road signs mean what they say the better.

You're a troll Shaker, do me a favour and never reply to one of my followups again.

To equinox's defence, he did say
"I'm pretty sure if you apply through the normal channels it will be OK though"
Not to ignore the sign and drive straight through.
Occasionally signs like this are put up for a short term reason and forgotten. So ringing the people involved as suggested would be the best idea.

Cheers

The 'track' from Warakurna to Jackie Junction is known variously as the "Old Gunbarrel Road", the "Abandoned section of the Gunbarrel Highway", and the "Closed section of the Gunbarrel Highway". It is a section of the original Gunbarrel Highway.

It is not "closed" in the sense of a road closed by the Shire as being unsafe, impassable etc. but can be travelled with a permit obtained from the Ngaanyatjarra Land Council. You are required to declare that you are travelling at your own risk and may be required to obey conditions such as companion travelling and communications. Permits are not necessarily granted.
I certainly would not access this road without the appropriate permit.

I have travelled this section with permit and in company several years ago. It is interesting but the track is rough and has numerous washouts that require a keen eye to avoid. I would not wish to travel on it if at all wet.

I actually followed up your reply, which I will do whenever I wish to, unless the moderators advise me otherwise!

Hi Boobook,

You and I seem to get differing outcomes on this.
My examination of the permit map of the Ngaanyatjarra Council shows the "Old Gunbarrel" as being available to permit application. See the screen grabs below. The only one noted as being "Not Open to PU" is the un-named track between Jackie Junction and the Heather Hwy coloured in black. Some of the colours do not match from the map to the list.

Allan that map looks the same as the one I have.

The Black road runs west from Jackie Junction to Mt Samuel via Mt Charles / Rorurr(?). It says Jackie Junction to Gun Barrell Hwy CLOSED TO PUBLIC on the map.

That is the section the OP is asking about as far as I understand.

Yes Boobook, I think you are correct in the section that the OP is asking about. I did not know "Mt Samuel" and could only see "Mt Charles" on my Hema map. You may see my confusion! I retract everything.
I don't even know if I have travelled on the section in question.

The Ngaanyatjarra map I referred to is this one but I'm damned if I can find any road with the notation of "CLOSED TO PUBLIC" anywhere on the map. Perhaps I am blind! lol
Should you find me wandering aimlessly out there please pick up my white cane and gently reorient me.

Giddy

How old is your map? it is my understanding that this travel restriction is relatively recent, like the last couple of years so may not have made it on to some maps.

I certainly knew of it from doing some research for permits in recent times.

Cheers

The restriction was in place in 2005 when I last travelled that way.

Hi all.

We travelled it in Sept 2012 as a single vehicle with CT. Track was a bit agricultural but I wouldn't class it as difficult - about the same as, say, the upper Connie Sue.. There's some nice scenic country incl some wonderful Desert Oak groves; as good as the Sandy Blight Jnctn track. At no time did we have probs towing the CT. Be different if wet but...



We had received a permit via a Desert Discovery program. My understanding is that permits are generally issued but a minimum of two vehicles is required in 'normal' circumstances.

Easy way to find out - apply for a permit...

Cheers.