woomera prohibited area

Hi John S

I recall some years ago there was an article in tehn Weekend regarding that area. I believe (and I am prepared to be corrected) that it has something to do with the asbestos that they used to have in the fireproof suits during rocket launching days.

Cheers

Hi John
Yes all the maps are correct and it is still a Prohibited Area. The reason goes back to the days when it was a top secret area in the development of the atomic bomb testing, and the Blue Streak missile testing back in the 1950's.

Even though there is on longer Atomic testing, there area still plays a very important part where the is still used for various behind closed door things, including GPS blocking by the Government of Australia, the USA and who knows else. The area also still play an important role in the testing of inter space items and includes the long work when the Japanese where developing space equipment.

When there are launching on rockets, all station people that live within the prescribed areas all given advanced warning and still have bunkers in case of any malfunction of the equipment that is lunched. South of Woomera but not marked on the maps was the very highly place of Nurrunga which was one of the most important site for advanced warming in time of war and was used during the first Gulf War and we in Australia knew before anyone in the USA when and where the Scud Missiles were launched from. The base has now closed and all the same work is now carried out at Pine Gap, South of Alice Springs.

I hope this has helped you out a little.

Cheers

Stephen

John - the area is a designated test range administered by the Department of Defence for govt and commercial testing. You are not supposed to deviate from the road when passing thru'.

Pastoral leases on the east side of the hwy operate as normal unless DoD wants to do something in the area. AFAIK you must apply for permission to travel on tracks in the WTR/WPA, the northern part of which was, as we know, the site for atomic testing in the 50s and 60s.

Basically we as South Aussies just ignore it as do lots of other people for you will find lots of evidence of camping off the highway, not far in really.

Bruce and Di

"During 1972 approximately 40% of the WPA was de-restricted. This included the opal mining communities of Coober Pedy and Andamooka as well as almost 90% of the Maralinga Prohibited Area. Today the WPA covers an area of 127,000 square km, still the largest land locked range in the world."

Source: http://www.woomera.com.au/history.htm

Ask for permission for where you want to go and it will be granted unless they have a rocket going off.
I used to have the number of a guy to call and he would post a permit.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

Hi John,
As has been said, the Stuart Highway passes through the Woomera Prohibited Area, and travellers are not permitted to deviate from the road nor enter the Prohibited Area between close to Glendambo and Coober Pedy. This is defined in Commonwealth law and penalties apply. Furthermore, at very rare times, the Stuart Highway may be closed for short durations. Public notices are published and roadblocks erected. Here is a photo of a sign on the highway.
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