Tracks and Roads

Generally, it can be assumed that if any track is marked with any of the above notations then that track is NOT a “public road” and access is not generally available. Thus the track can only be used under the conditions noted on it. For example, tracks marked “For Use in Emergencies Only”, may only be used in an “emergency” situation. Equally, tracks marked “Wet Weather Access Only” may only be used in wet weather. Normally, this latter situation will apply when the track you may otherwise be travelling on has become impassable or has been closed. If the track you were intending to take has been “closed” due to rain, then the local road reports will normally also note whether or not any “wet weather only” track is open and passable. Conditions such as these are generally imposed by the Local Government entity responsible for the road.

Reasons for Restrictions

The reasons for imposing such restrictions can be many and varied. For example, the road surface may be such that constant, general use will very quickly deteriorate the surface, and thus when the circumstances necessitating use of the track arise, it may be found to be impassable simply as a consequence of the volume of traffic that had previously used it. However, if the track had otherwise remained almost unused, its surface may have been preserved in such a state as to readily facilitate the passage of just a few vehicles under the conditions allowed. In other cases “emergency” or “wet weather” tracks are simply not maintained at all, and thus regular traffic could render such tracks impassable. Road maintenance costs in the bush are very high.

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Road Closures

Remember also that driving around a “Road Closed” sign anywhere can result in a very large fine being imposed. Many local government entities in outback Australia have adopted a very aggressive approach to road closures. As soon as it starts to rain, if there is any prospect of the rain being heavy and/or prolonged, then almost inevitably up go the “road closed” signs on many dirt roads and tracks.

If you are in a town, and the roads have been closed due to rain, or you are traveling on a track, and come to another which you intended to take and find that it has been closed, then it is always worthwhile contacting the local police or council, or the local Roads Authority. In many such situations, the road may be closed to heavy vehicles, caravans and say, two wheel drive vehicles. However, it may be open, with care, to 4WD vehicles not towing a caravan or camper. We have experienced that exact situation on a couple of occasions. Equally, we have experienced situations where a particular road was closed, however that road gave access to another track which had not been closed. Access was being allowed up the closed road, but only to the turn off to the other open track. So it is always worthwhile having a talk to one of the responsible organizations to ascertain the actual situation.

Aboriginal Business Road

Tracks marked “Aboriginal Business Road” are generally tracks which have been put in by various aboriginal community corporations to facilitate travel between communities. Permits may or may not be issued to transit such tracks. It may very much depend on your reasons for requiring the transit, where you are coming from and/or where you are going, and also whether there are any ceremonies or rituals taking place on or near to the track or in communities. The same situation normally applies to roads within aboriginal lands marked as “restricted access”.

 Why is a Permit Required?

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Most tracks marked as “Permit Required” pass through aboriginal lands. As such, they are essentially on private property, and the traditional owners may or may not approve of access being granted. And, just because a track is marked as “Permit Required” is no guarantee that a permit will be granted on application.

The conditions under which permits are granted may also vary, and permission may be withdrawn at any time, or access simply barred without notice. For example, if there has been a death in a community, or a ceremony or ritual is taking place somewhere along or near a track, then access may be barred, even though a permit had been granted earlier. You should always very carefully read the conditions attaching to the issue and usage of any permit. Also ensure that you obey all requirements, including any directions issued to you whilst on or accessing such tracks.

Types of Permits

Generally, with aboriginal lands, there are two types of permit issued. The first is a “transit” permit, which simply allows you to transit through the area. The second type of permit is one to “access and remain on, aboriginal land” and would normally be applicable if you needed to actually visit a community and/or remain overnight, for example.

Transit Permit

With this type of permit, you may or may not be allowed to stop on the way, or to leave the track, or to camp. Generally, the length of the track involved will dictate many such circumstances. Whilst you may not be aware of them, there may be literally dozens of sacred sites along a track. A stop, and a camp fire, or the moving of some rocks to facilitate a tent site, could well be interfering with a sacred site. Over the years, such interference, whether intentional or not, has resulted in a number of locations and tracks now falling into the category where permits are simply not issued to travellers.

In general, when you apply for a transit permit, you normally need to nominate a 3 day “window” within which your travel is to take place. However, that is not always the case. The application form will normally be quite clear in relation to any such requirement.

[MH]Entry/Access Permit[/SH]This allows entry to a designated area of Aboriginal land or an Aboriginal community for a specific purpose and period of time. Applications for entry permits can take longer to process because they may require consultations with Aboriginal landowners and you should allow at least three to four weeks for a reply to your request.

Whilst applications for permits are generally made to the responsible Land Council, the Councils are simply acting on, and carrying out the instructions of the traditional owners who live along the tracks, whether in communities or on outstations. And there may be dozens of such traditional owners. Thus it is their wishes, and the conditions they impose, that dictate to the staff of a Land Council, whether or not a permit may be issued. It is also surprising, but in many situations your permit application is physically sent off to one or more traditional owners, for their personal consideration, rather than simply being processed by the Land Council.

Regrettably, over the years, there have been too many irresponsible travellers who have ignored permit requirements, and have simply traveled over tracks without one. The end result has been a number of locations which have simply been shut to visitors as a consequence of persons ignoring the normal protocols. You would also be surprised at how well the bush telegraph actually operates in outback Australia. A lot of people seem to know whether or not you have a permit.

Cost of Permits

The costs of permits vary significantly. The majority are free, others may cost an application fee varying between $2 and $5. Yet others can be very expensive. For example a permit to access Surveyor-General’s Corner will currently cost you $100.00 per vehicle and $20.00 per person, whilst a single vehicle permit to access any of the numerous aboriginal sites along the Canning Stock Route will cost you $50. Access and camping fees in some areas of aboriginal land on Cape York vary between $5.00 and $30.00 per night per vehicle, or per person, whilst others are only $30.00 per week per vehicle.

Permits to access a range of locations on the Gove Peninsula can cost between $15.00 and $30.00 per night per vehicle, but the permit to transit the Central Arnhem Road is free.

Closed Communities

Some aboriginal communities are noted on maps as “closed communities”. This normally means that they are not open to travellers, and have no facilities whatsoever available to travellers. However, we have noticed in recent times, that a few communities, which were “closed” have now changed their philosophy, and offer some limited facilities to travellers. Thus, if in the planning stages of your trip you think you may need to access a community for some reason, and it is marked on your map as “closed” then I would be making a telephone call to that community to check on that status. If it is still “closed” then your planning processes will need to be revised to take account of that situation.

And notwithstanding all of the information above, if you intend to drive through or visit any community or place on land marked as aboriginal land, and there appears to be no limitations or conditions on any of the tracks within that area, I would still be telephoning the community in your planning stage to check on the situation. It is cheap to do so, and polite, and you never know what good information you might gain.

 Seeking More Information

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You do need to do your homework. Permits to visit some communities are only available from the local community itself, eg., some communities on the western side of Cape York, communities near Cape Arnhem and on the Gove Peninsula, and some communities in the Kimberley region. However, the permits to access the tracks leading to some of those areas are issued by the Land Councils or Government Departments.


It is always worth doing your homework well before you intend to leave, and applying for the permits that you will need well in advance. Some permits can take up to 2 months and more to be issued or refused, whilst others may only take a few days. And don’t forget, if the track you want to travel extends into two states or across two land Council areas you will probably need a permit for both areas. So ensure that you leave yourself plenty of time to gain them.

Understanding the permit system and learning as much as you can by contacting the appropriate Land Council/s, National Parks Service and/or nearby towns and communities is a good start. Websites such as the ExplorOz site and the large scale HEMA maps can also provide excellent information regarding access and permits. Remember, always obey the conditions imposed, and thus ensure that those people coming after you retain their access, or improve it as a result of your good and exemplary behaviour.

This article has been reprinted and published with the kind permission of the author and the Toyota Land Cruiser Club Of Australia Sydney.

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Steve from Top End Explorer Tours : 3 Aug 07 18:16