Emu to Maralinga Village

Why what happens

Can be nasty. Apart from a massive fine you can be held without charge and removing your Freedom of rights. Apart from the department of defence you are trespassing on Aboriginal lands. There is a less onerous punishment for that. A few thousand dollars.





from the act

Additionally, section 72M provides that security authorised members of the Defence
Force may use a dog to assist with the conduct of searches and other functions and
powers under Part VIA. This includes a power to restrain and detain a person, remove
a person from defence premises or arrest a person under 72P (which deals with
trespass). Section 72 provides that a member of the Defence Force, a civil police
officer or an Australian Federal Police protective service officer may, without
warrant, arrest a person for unauthorised entry on defence premises or
accommodation.

Under Part VIA, detention is lawful in certain circumstances and the provisions
outline the circumstances to be satisfied to ensure detention is not arbitrary.

Freedom of Movement - Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights

thanks Boobook
thats what I was trying to think of in similar words
mechpete

And quite apart from all that, to save any further problems they will close the road permanently so no one can use it.
There are big locked gates at the Maralinga end and more would no doubt be erected at the Emu end if people travel this track without permission. This track has been off limits from the day Len Beadell built it. Robin Mathews the caretaker at Maralinga uses this road as part of his duties. It is only through his kindness and good will that ANYONE else these days ever travels it. Its a great drive but you have to sweet talk Robin to be able to use it. He is responsible for what happens on that track so it is extremely difficult to get his permission, he is required to escort anyone on that track.

Stephen, now that Robin is no longer manager of Maralinga, he may not have authority to grant access. ( if he ever did).

BTW have you spoken to Robin lately?

Hi Boobook

Even though he is no longer manager, they were going to (not sure if it ever happened ) grade the Emu Road to cater for increased tourist numbers useing the track by Denis Brown, a traditional Elder.

As for speaking with Robin, no I have left countless emails and phone messages, but have not been able to speak to him.

I am now speaking out loud to myself now, but the new fees and time frame to visit Maralinga is a joke. As you know, only one day out on the range is a joke and you will only ever see a fraction of what there is yo see.


Cheers


Stephen

Yes the last tour was a bit rushed, I am lucky we got to tour the place previously the old way. However I would not discourage anyone from visiting, it is still an unbelievable tour and Robin makes it even better.

The biggest issue is that it is described as a 3 day, 2 night tour on the website.

First day. You arrive at about 4PM and set up your camp site.
Second day, a great tour.
Third day. Pack up and leave.

Robin has put a lot of work into the place, he must have spent countless hours cleaning it up and making the camping area nicer. First time we went there, Robin was gunna do this, gunna do that. Well credit to the man, he is well on the way to doing it all. His dream is coming to realization. I hope he still has the motivation and authority to pursue it going forward.

Robin didn't mention grading the road to me, and it isn't in bad condition ( well compared to much of the ABH anyway).

I still recommend the place highly. It is a MUST DO.

Thanks all for the replies.
Once again Exploroz provides the info although variable.
As I read it I am unable to turn right from Emu and travel down to Maralinga without a permit or the OK from Robin who according the SA Tourist info is the gatekeeper at Maralinga Village. I have the appropriate paperwork to travel the ABH and thought it may cover the area south as it is part of the Woomera Prohibited area. Having to sweet talk someone for permission doesn't work for me.
Great pics Stephen, no wonder it's a MUST DO track.
Travel safe all
Cheers 4 now
Mike

'
Hi Mike,

You say..... "I have the appropriate paperwork to travel the ABH and thought it may cover the area south as it is part of the Woomera Prohibited area."

Apart from any OK by Robin, your "Woomera" permit requires a nomination of "Proposed destination and route". So to be legal & proper you would need to describe your desire to travel on the Emu to Maralinga track and obtain approval as you are within the Woomera Prohibited Area zone. The granting of access does not entitle you to unrestricted movement.
After 70 years, Big Brother is still in residence!

The track is also within the Maralinga Tjarutja Lands so you also need an appropriate permit from the Ceduna office (impossible I believe) or at least a nod from Robin Matthews.

Mike, I think it is unlikely that Robin will give you permission to travel to Maralinga from the north. Reason being that the locked north gate is about 55km from the village. That means Robin has to make a special trip up there to let you in, and you will be out of UHF and telephone range so might have trouble contacting him to let him know you're there. And it takes 2 hours out of his day to let you in. From the south its a different story. You get telstra and UHF coverage between the railway line and the south gate, and its a short trip for him to let you in. People who travel the Emu road usually get to do it from south to north. I've been there a couple of times (first time was when the Commonwealth Govt ran the place from Canberra and Leon and Diane were the caretakers) and the first time we were let out the north gate after Leon had done the tour and shown us around.

Thanks Baz
A great read is your blog - Maralinga Village - A glowing Report.
You travelled the exact opposite way I'm hoping to travel in April ie down the CSR from Halls Creek across to Laverton travel on the ABH to Emu then down to Maralinga. Apart from the Woomera permit what other permits did you have to travel up to Emu from the south ?

Travel safe

Cheers 4 now
Mike

From memory the approval from the Marlinga Tjarutja Lands included a notation on travel along that road, and the Department of Defence qualified in its approval that travel along that route was to be “escorted” by Robin Matthews.

Regards, Baz