COVID-19 restrictions - access to Aboriginal communities

Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 17, 2021 at 11:18
ThreadID: 141264 Views:7177 Replies:2 FollowUps:3
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Good morning one and all, as part of this years travels I have been researching (as you do) and also applying for permits. Attached is a WA Government website that tells you what is accessible and what isn't. In my case it is the Dampier Peninsula, Kalumburru and the Oombulgurri Track, which as of yesterdays email are either closed or restricted (Dampier P).

Hope this is of help to others in the same boat?

Dunc
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Reply By: Dean K3 - Wednesday, Mar 17, 2021 at 12:00

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2021 at 12:00
Thanks for link was under impression that it was federal biosecurity act which overrides state govt legislation but anyway.

Helpful for trip may/june up north
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Reply By: Member - Cuppa - Wednesday, Mar 17, 2021 at 15:30

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2021 at 15:30
As far as I can tell from the linked list - the Dampier peninsula is almost fully open to visitors.The only places that are listed as having 'Community Entry requirements' are Ardyloon (One arm Point), Bells Point (which has always had restricted entry), Djarindjin (which is he residential area next door to Lombadina) & with the newly expanded Djarandjin Roadhouse out on the main road there is no need to go into Djarandjin to access the store there). Munget (Whalesong ) have not been open for camping for a couple of years having transferred their energies into the harvesting & processing of Gubinge instead. Other communities listed that are on the Dampier Peninsula as having entry requirements will have no impact on tourists.

In the north Kimberley Kalumburu being close will affect some, but the King Edward River & and Mitchell Falls area will be open. The store on the roadside at Imintji will still be open for supplies & fuel , restrictions will apply to the community a bit further off the road.Dodnun , just outside of Mt Elizabeth Station has a nice little General Store which will be off limits for the time being, but it has only been open to the public for a couple of year, & is not heavily relied upon by most travellers.

Baulu Wah (Violet Valley) A lovely little camp ground just north of the turn off to te Bungles looks like they wont open.They onl yopened for the first time in 2019 , but are 12kms off the main road, so choosing to protect themselves wont impact many folks holiday plans.

It hasn't been possible to get permits for the Oombulgurri Track (Carson River Road) for a number of years, only way to go through there is via tagalong or in vehicle tours with a mob from Kununurra.

As far as I can tell all others listed have previously required permits .ie.no change.
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Follow Up By: Life Member - Duncan W (WA) - Wednesday, Mar 17, 2021 at 15:46

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2021 at 15:46
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.



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Follow Up By: Member - Cuppa - Wednesday, Mar 17, 2021 at 16:19

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2021 at 16:19
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
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Follow Up By: Life Member - Duncan W (WA) - Wednesday, Mar 17, 2021 at 19:48

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2021 at 19:48
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.

Dunc
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