Four Wheel Drive Australia on behalf of the Nyangumarta Warrarn Aboriginal Corporation is now issuing permits for travel through the Nyangumarta native title lands along what was formally called the Kidson Track – now renamed as the Nyangumarta Highway. The Permits allowed access through the Nyangumarta native title lands for tourism related activities.

The permit fee for this is $55 including GST for each Four Wheel Drive Vehicle and associated trailer. Revenue from these fees funds covers the administration of the permit system and protection of environmental, cultural and heritage values of the Nyangumarta native title lands on behalf of the Traditional Owners. The Australian National Four Wheel Drive Council receives a commission from the sale of each permit, the bulk of the funds are forwarded to the Nyangumarta Warrarn Aboriginal Corporation.

Why is a Permit needed?

The Kidson Track/Nyangumarta Highway is one of the longest private roads in the world. It was created in the late 1960s by West Australian Petroleum Pty Ltd (WAPET) for exploration purposes on unallocated crown land.

However, the road was never gazetted by the Western Australian Government and when the Nyangumarta people gained native title over their traditional lands in 2009 they were granted exclusive native title rights over the area it passes through. The road then effectively then became a private road owned by the Nyangumarta, just like (a very long) version of the track from the farm gate to the homestead on farms all across Australia.

Therefore today, as with all private roads, the land owner’s permission is required to use it.

Because of the Kidson Track/Nyangumarta Highway’s remote location a permit system is the most practical way to promote safe and responsible use of the road.

The permit also allows the Nyangumarta to teach the wider public about their land and history, and provides a small income to assist the Nyangumarta Warrarn Aboriginal Corporation look after the vast area of land it holds under native title rights in and which it must look after on behalf of present and future generations of Nyangumarta people.

This permit allows access to the Kidson Track/Nyangumarta Highway and other areas as shown on the map below.

Download Nyangumarta Kidson Track Map >>

For further information in applying for a specific permit email Office Manager.

The complete permit document package must be carried at all times within the vehicle. The permit holder must provide the permit for inspection if requested to do so by a representative of the traditional owners or a law enforcement officer.

The issue of this permit on behalf of the Nyangumarta people by Four Wheel Drive Australia will be for a period of ONE (1) month from the date nominated by the applicant in the case of private individuals and twelve months for commercial tour operators at the fees set from time to time.

Warning:

The outback lands of Australia are unforgiving and isolated. Travellers have to cope with very harsh, arid conditions which quickly take their toll on vehicles and people. Do not travel through the area unless you have made plans to cope with vehicle breakdowns or personal emergencies. You and your party must be self-reliant.

Disclaimer

Four Wheel Drive Australia endeavours to make sure that permit information provided on this website is correct at the time of its publication. However, you should obtain independent advice before making any decision based on the information on this site.
The information on this site is made available on the understanding that FWDA, its officers and members, accept no responsibility for any damage, cost, loss or expenses incurred by you during your trip as a result of:

• Any error, omission or misrepresentation on this site
• Any malfunction or failure to function of this site
• Without limiting the above, any delay, failure or error in recording, displaying or updating information, including but not limited to, data relating to credit holdings.

Where there are known limitations to the information on our website, we will provide an explanation of these limitations wherever possible. If there is any material on our website that you consider to be misleading or inaccurate, please contact us and your comments will be referred to our editors for consideration as soon as possible. If you require an urgent response you can e-mail csrmanager@anfwdc.asn.au

Your responsibilities

as you are using electronic services offered on the ANFWDC website, you should understand that:

• While we use our best endeavours to ensure the availability of these services, they cannot be guaranteed.
• If for any reason you are unable to use an electronic service for payment of the fee, please fill out the Contact form stating the reason the permit did not go through or the problem/s you had so that we can look at your enquiry and endeavour to fix the problem.

Before using electronic means for payment, please ensure that you are using current anti-virus software, and that it is operating on your computer at all times.

Images of people now deceased

Four Wheel Drive Australia is aware that many Aboriginal people are offended by the depiction of deceased members of their communities. While we make every effort to ensure that any pictures of sites do not include images of Aboriginal people; visitors to the site are warned that it may contain images of people now deceased. Please let us know if you know of the death of any Aboriginal person depicted on this site.

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This pre-purchase information may be downloaded and printed for further consideration before you purchase the Permit.

General Conditions Applying to this Permit

• This Permit is valid only for the purpose and dates specified.
• You must carry this Permit in your vehicle at all times while travelling on the Nyangumarta Highway, which is also known as the Kidson Track and Wapet Rd (the Track).
• Individuals entering Nyangumarta land must take all due precautions and exercise appropriate safety measures, bearing in mind the risks associated with travelling in remote, arid areas and the nature of the landscape.
• The Permit allows you to drive, camp and undertake tourism related activities at designated areas along the Track.
• The Permit also allows access to “Nabaru Rose’s Track” (also known as Nikolay Road). Access to the airstrip at the end of Nabaru Rose’s Track is permitted for emergency purposes only.
• You are permitted access to Djimakarra Soak as a daytime camping spot/rest area but overnight camping is prohibited.
• Departure from the Track or other areas listed above is not permitted, unless you have specific permission from the Nyangumarta Warrarn Aboriginal Corporation to do so.
• Certain stretches of the Track are designated no stopping areas and you are required to drive straight through these areas without stopping. No stopping areas are marked on the map in your brochure including with your permit.
• You are required to adhere to Four Wheel Drive Australia’s Codes of Conduct for Off Road Driving and Camping.
• If you are visiting an Aboriginal community, the issue of this Permit does not imply that the Traditional Owners/Community members have been advised of your intended visit.
• You must observe all Western Australian laws, including Aboriginal Community by-laws if applicable.
• You must not undertake any mining or prospecting (including fossicking) within the Nyangumarta Determination area unless you have a specific lease or licence to do so.
• You must not access any areas where mining, oil or gas equipment (including well heads) is present. Interference with such equipment is dangerous and may cause life threatening injury.
• Do not remove any Aboriginal art, sacred objects or artefacts from Nyangumarta land, unless you have written permission from an approved agency.
• Refrain from photographing community areas and residents within the Nyangumarta Determination area, unless you have the prior approval of the resident community.
• Use of firearms on or about the Track is prohibited.
• Hunting on or about the Track is prohibited, unless you have appropriate written approval.
• Littering on or about the Track is prohibited. All waste must be burnt or carried out.
• You must have a four wheel drive vehicle. Use of a two wheel drive vehicle or motorbikes is prohibited. Persons seeking to access the Track on foot, using a bicycle, on horseback or with camels, or any other such means of transport that is not a four wheel drive vehicle must apply directly in writing to Nyangumarta Warrarn Aboriginal Corporation and access will be considered on a case by case basis.
• Permit holders acknowledge and agree that they and their passengers access Nyangumarta land and use the Track entirely at their own risk, and that the Nyangumarta Warrarn Aboriginal Corporation, 4WD Australia and the Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation make no representations as to the condition of the Track and are not liable in any manner for any loss, damage, cost, expense or injury to person or property of any kind, however caused, resulting from the use of the Track.

Download the Nyangumarta Highway (Kidson Track) Permit Brochure >>

Purchase your permit here >>