Warburton

How big are the Ngaanyatjarra Lands?
The Lands are 159,948 square kilometres in size (compare to the size of England, 130,439 square kilometres). While travelling along the Great Central Road from approximately 130 kms east of the Tjukayirla Roadhouse right through to the Northern Territory border, you are in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands and you are subject to the by-laws.

How long will it take me to travel through the Ngaanyatjarra Lands?
That is dependent on a number of factors including road conditions and your luck with your tyres. Warburton is located 1020km west from Alice Springs and 560km from Yulara (Ayers Rock) and 560km east of Laverton and 930km west of Kalgoorlie.
Warburton is located in the centre of Ngaanyatjarra Lands and so makes an idea rest stop along the way.

Is Petrol available at Warburton Roadhouse?
Standard Unleaded Fuel is not available anywhere on the Great Central Road between Laverton (WA) and Yulara (NT).
BP has developed an alternative low-aromatic fuel called Opal Fuel, which is readily available at all Roadhouses.
Opal Fuel was developed to combat the rising use of petrol as an inhalant in remote indigenous communities, it contains less aromatics or solvents, which are what produces the ‘high’ when sniffed.
For more information on Opal Fuel see the section below.

What is the price of Diesel / Fuel?
Diesel – $ 3.60 per litre
Opal* – $ 3.50 per litre

What are the road conditions?
The Great Central Road is unsealed. 4WD recommended. Changing weather conditions & traffic volumes can adversely affect road surfaces, please drive carefully at all times.

Updated 02/02/2024 The Great Central Road is open for the purpose of transiting. All Communities are closed to the general public. Please check the Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku for current road condition report of Great Central Road prior to travel: [https://www.ngaanyatjarraku.wa.gov.au/index.php] Please note all other roads are closed. A permit is required to travel the Great Central Road. The Ngaanyatjarra permit application can be found at: [https://permits.ngaanyatjarra.org.au/form/lands-permit] Please contact the Ngaanyatjarra Council (NT) on 08) 89501 711 for further info. DO NOT travel without prior consent and appropriate permits. You may be escorted back where you came from and face fines.

Is Alcohol permitted at Warburton Roadhouse?
No.

What are the cultural protocols I should be aware of when travelling through Ngaanyatjarra Lands?

To enjoy your visit please ensure that you familiarise yourself with some general principles for respectful interaction with local people and land. The Ngaanyatjarra people of the Central Desert are strongly committed to their society and culture. They are pleased to have other persons travel through their Lands (Aboriginal reserve). However they ask that you observe the following rules:

• All visitors travelling the Great Central Roads require a visiting permit and are advised to respect the Ngaanyatjarra Council by-laws.
• As a general rule Aboriginal people do not like their photographs taken, unless given permission to do so by the individuals.
• Bury all camp fires and dispose of your rubbish at one the three roadhouses on the Great Central Road.
• Please check with Ngaanyatjarraku Shire if the roads are closed after heavy rain – fines apply. Ph 08 8956 7966
• Always carry extra water, fuel and spare tyres. Mechanical assistance is not always available.

Is Alcohol permitted at Warburton Roadhouse?
No

Is there an Aboriginal Community at Warburton?
Yes, Warburton or Mirlirrtjarra is named after the range of hills (Warburton Ranges) to the north of the community. Warburton is the largest of the Ngaanyatjarra Communities and is considered the metropolis of the Lands. Warburton was the first Community to be established on the Lands.
Warburton arose as a direct result of the activities of the United Aboriginal Missionaries (UAM) Will and Iris Wade, who established a base at Warburton in the 1930’s. In 1973 the UAM relinquished control of the Warburton Mission to the incorporated Warburton Aboriginal Community with an elected Aboriginal council. In 1981 the Ngaanyatjarra Council was officially incorporated and Warburton was one of the founding members.

What days/hours are you open?
Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm (WST)
Saturday & Sunday 9am – 3pm (WST)
Closed Christmas Day, New Years Day and Good Friday.
Public Holidays – Open 9am to 12 noon (WST), unless otherwise advertised.

Important note:
No shop or fuel sales are made outside of trading hours.
(WST) = Western Standard Time.
NOTE that the Ngaanyatjarra Lands crosses three time zones, Central Standard Time (GMT + 9:30), Central Standard Time (Daylight Savings) (GMT + 10:30) and Western Standard Time (GMT + 8)
Daylight saving runs in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia from the end of October through to the end of March, Tasmania from the beginning of October through to the end of March.

Can I get fuel after hours?
No

Can I get water at the roadhouse
Yes, water is available for purchase during open hours.

Is EFTPOS Available
Yes, EFTPOS is Available in the store, however we are not able to offer a cash out facility. There is an ATM on site.

Are there artwork or souvenirs available to purchase?
There is artwork available for purchase as well as a range of books and education items at the Tjulyuru Regional Arts Gallery located less than 200m from the Warburton Roadhouse. There is a limited range of souvenirs also available directly from the Warburton Roadhouse Store

Is there mobile phone reception at Warburton?
Yes, there is Telstra mobile phone reception (including 3G) in Warburton only. We recommend carrying a Sat phone when travelling along the GCR..

Is there internet available at the Roadhouse?
Yes, there is Telstra 3G internet available at the roadhouse.

Trading Hours

Regular Trading Hours

• Monday to Friday - 9:00am to 5:00pm (WST)
• Saturday and Sunday - 9:00am to 3:00pm (WST)
• Closed Christmas Day, New Years Day and Good Friday.
  Other Public Holidays – Open 9am to 12 noon (WST), unless otherwise advertised.
  No after hours fuel or store.

* Please note that none of the roadhouses across the Great Central Rd are open in the evenings. We advise checking the opening hours of each roadhouse prior to travel, especially if travelling on a public holiday.

Important Notes

• No shop or fuel sales are made outside of trading hours.
• No pets allowed in the grounds.
• (WST) = Western Standard Time.
• All prices are subject to change without notice.

Permit Information

To enter the Ngaanyatjarra Lands visitors require an entry permit. It is also necessary to have a transit permit when travelling through the Lands by road.
The application process is simple and free. You can download a permit information and application pack (PDF format) by clicking on the image below.