A trip to the Dampier Peninsula means entering upon Aboriginal land. In some areas special entry conditions apply. For more information please contact Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) on +61 8 9235 8000 or alternatively visit the website on www.dia.wa.gov.au.
Public Roads- no permit required
The Cape Leveque Road is a dedicated public road. It provides public access between Broome and Cape Leveque. Access into the Beagle Bay community is also a public road.
Aboriginal Land- permit required
The Cape Leveque Road passes through the Beagle Bay and One Arm Point Aboriginal reserves and provides access to the Carnot Bay Reserve. These particular reserves are established and protected under Part III of the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Act 1972. Entry onto these reserves requires a permit.
Aboriginal Land- exceptions where permit is not required.
A number of the communities and outstations on the Dampier Peninsula have embraced tourism, establishing camping grounds and other accommodation, and offering a variety of cultural tours. For people traveling through reserved land to destination such as;
- Middle Lagoon
- Munget
- Goombarargin
- Maddarr
may do so but should proceed directly to these destinations without turning into any side roads or other property.
In order to assist and encourage visitors to use these facilities and to join in the activities on offer, road signs have been placed at various locations.
"No entry" signs
At other locations “no entry” signs indicate areas where access is prohibited. These signs indicate private land where community members do not wish to have access for visitors. Visitors to the Dampier Peninsula are asked to observe road signs and to respect the wishes of local people. Please do not enter restricted areas.
Staying overnight and camping
Visitors to the Dampier peninsula are required to make bookings for overnight stays and camping. There is no free camping and no camping outside of designated camping grounds. Visitors to communities on the Dampier Peninsula are welcome to explore historic sites and other public facilities, but asked to drive slowly and to not wander uninvited into residential areas.
Respecting the environment and the Aboriginal Culture
All of these visitor protocols will help to maintain a balance between opening up to tourism and permitting communities and outstations on the Dampier Peninsula to pursue their own enterprises and cultural aspirations. They allow community members to benefit from income and employment generated through tourism, whilst providing protections of privacy, community lifestyle and at times sensitive cultural grounds.
For more information please contact Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) on +61 8 9235 8000 or alternatively visit the website on www.dia.wa.gov.au.
