Truscott Air Base

Pete,

There was a article in 4WD monthly or Overlander, within the past 2 years about the access road, and what to see there. Lots of abandoned vehicles, and maybe a few aircraft. Expect rough travelling.

Apologies for the vague reply.

Hooroo...

Pete,
I was up in Kulumburu in '01, and asked the Community about access (there is a rough track from there to Truscott, and it's through their land), but was told a definite NO. The situation may have changed, and a phone call may get an update. Certainly when I was last there, permits must be obtained from the Custodians to travel almost anywhere in the region; eg, an extra permit was required to travel out to Drysdale River NP.
Stories abound that Truscott is maintained by a mining company which discourages any access unless permission is granted, which will not be given; even aircraft aren't allowed in without permission. I know there have been fly-ins by groupls of war veterans, but these have been special occasions.
I'd be interested to know the latest myself, as I'd love to get out to this historic spot, esp since I'll be up that way in a couple of months.
Gerry

I tried to get in there in 2001 had a positive no from the locals, had a bit of a look and was told that the road had been washed out badly during the previous wet and that the road was not passable. Contacted a bloke at Kunnunurra who had something to do with the celebrations that are held there to commemorate the war,
he arranged to get permits to allow us to fly out with one of the local charter operators, faily expensive for the aircraft and the charges for sitting on the ground out there. We had to pay $250.00 just for the landing fee and the bloke wanted us to shout him a seat and even then we were not gauranteed to be able to look around the site. Abandoned the idea due to time and lack of certainty.
Can find the blokes name if you wanted it, as there are heaps of stuff to look at out there. I was told the strip was/is used by private operators for coast watch or customs or something. This bloke has a good idea as he was involved in the work of getting the strip operational again.

gday Hedonist
the wifes grand father served at truscott & the inlaws are up their at the moment as evry now & then they have a reunion of those that were there,access is controlled by the aborigals & they lease holder for the air strip most travell is done by sea & air there is a road in but as others have said it is hard to get permission to go. This is even the case for the veterans who served there