Nyangumarta Highway Permit

NWAC is now issuing Transit Permits along what was formally called the Kidson Track – now renamed as the Nyangumarta Highway. The Nyangumarta Highway is a significant route traversing Nyangumarta Country in the northwest of Western Australia. It plays an important role in connecting remote communities, supporting access to key cultural sites, and enabling traditional land management activities.

The Nyangumarta Highway holds cultural significance for the Nyangumarta people, as it crosses landscapes that are rich in heritage and ecological diversity. NWAC ensures that the highway is managed in a way that respects and protects the land, while facilitating sustainable use for tourism, cultural practices, and regional development.

Why is a Permit needed?

The 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 across Australia.

Therefore today, as with all private roads, the landowner’s permission is required to use it. Because of the Nyangumarta Highway’s remote location, a permit system is the most practical way to promote safe and responsible use of the road.

The Transit Permit also allows Nyangumarta people to teach the wider public about their land and history and provides a small income to assist NWAC to 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.

What area does the Transit Permit cover?

The Transit Permit allows you to drive, camp and undertake tourism related activities at designated areasalong the Nyangumarta Highway (approximately 310kms) as shown on the map below. Limited access to other parts of the Nyangumarta People (Part A) determination area are specified below.

Nabaru Rose’s Track

The Transit Permit also allows access to “Nabaru Rose’s Track”, also known as Nikolay Road.

Airstrip

Access to the airstrip at the end of Nabaru Rose’s Track is permitted for emergency purposes only.

Djimakarra Soak

You are permitted access to Djimakarra Soak as a daytime camping spot/rest area but overnight camping is prohibited