Jackie
Junction is a historic
crossroads in remote Western Australia, named by surveyor Len Beadell in 1958 after his daughter, Jacqueline. It connected the new
Gunbarrel Highway (westward) with the existing track from
Warburton Mission (northward).It's a significant landmark from the
Gunbarrel Highway's creation, built for
Woomera rocket range support, and while parts are now closed, it represents a key
junction in early Australian outback exploration and
infrastructure.Strictly
no access permitted west of Jackie
Junction to
Heather Highway due to sacred lands.Travel north of Jackie
Junction is highly restricted too. The Old
Gunbarrel Highway that runs between
Warburton and Warakurna is nowadays considered by the Ngaanyatjarra Council to be, “Abandoned Section of Gunbarrel (NOT OPEN TO PUBLIC)”. It may be possible to obtain a permit from Ngaanyatjarra Council for this section, on a “special conditions basis”, however the abandoned section is not listed as “Automatic Approval”.