COVID-19 restrictions - access to Aboriginal communities

Hi Cuppa, yes and no. Spoke with the Broome Tourist Ctr this morning regarding access along the Peninsula and they are waiting for an update which is due at the end of the month. Whilst the spreadsheet lists some areas as being open, they are, but not for day visitors like we will be on that particular trip.Beagle Bay is currently out and so is One Arm Point. Lombardina has some access restrictions as well. All very complex.

WRT to the Oombulgurri Track we are booked on the Tag-along with Just Over the Hills which is the TO run tour company.

Hi Duncan, Yes I missed out two places with N/A next to them , one of which was Beagle Bay. I guess they are leaving it as long as possible before deciding, & with good reason. We were in Beagle bay regularly when living up there a couple of years ago, a lovely community. I hope they open. The other one Djoodoon. (Bully's Camp) - I suspect the authorities would have difficulty even knowing who to consult with on that oneas there is local disagreement about whom it belongs to. Geoff who looks after the place & the community next door at Mudnunn have differing views - I reckon it will open..... if you can find it. La Djadarr camp (east coast) has been used privately by the families who own it for several years now. Lombadina looks like it's open to ay visitors to me. The 'Variation' bit, is as I understand it an 'exception to the rule' ie. to be open. I note that the place we looked after where we lived up there, Goombaragin has the 'Variation', & I know they are planning to be open. So really the only places which may affect you are Ardyaloon & Beagle Bay if they don't open.

I'm envious of your trip up the Oombi, I know folk who have travelled it in the past before JOTH folk got it 'sewed up' and there are a couple of places I'd love to see up there. We tried to get permission to go out from Kalumburu to Oomarri (art site near the King George River crossing) year before last, but failed. There has been talk over the past few years of the track being opened to limited numbers of independent travellers (with permits) but I've heard nothing more about that in recent times.

I reckon you'll have a ball!

Ps. Broome Tourist Centre are notorious for promoting themselves as a tourist info centre for the region, but rarely have much of an idea about what happens up on the peninsula regardless of what they might tell you, particularly in regard to the smaller camp grounds etc. They tend to be far more focussed on the big dollar tours & accommodation in & around Broome & across the rest of the Kimberley. I suggest nearer the time phoning the Beagle bay store for accurate info about Beagle Bay's status. 08 9192 4831

Cuppa, as an aside the Tourist Centre said that since the cheep airfares have ben announced they are snowed under with enquiries. Place is going to be as busy as all hell by the time we get there in late June.