Restricted Travel in remote Aboriginal Communities the Kimberley (COVID-19)
20 June 2021: Public health advice issued for arrivals from Queensland since Saturday, 19 June 2021.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) has the potential to do great harm to the Kimberley’s 221 remote Aboriginal communities.
- Aboriginal people living in remote areas are more at risk of serious illness from the coronavirus than other people.
- If the coronavirus gets into an Aboriginal community, it is likely to spread quickly and make residents very sick.
- To help protect our Aboriginal communities, there are strict travel restrictions in place.
- Tourists and travellers are not allowed to enter any remote Aboriginal community in Western Australia.
- Fines of up to $50,000 may apply to anyone who breaches the restrictions.
- Only some Aboriginal communities are excluded from the restrictions.
- For more information, call 13 COVID (13 268 43) or visit wa.gov.au or read COVID-19 coronavirus: Remote Aboriginal communities travel
Frequently Asked Questions
List of Aboriginal Communities open to visitors here
List of Aboriginal Communities closed to visitors here
Which remote Aboriginal communities, or parts of them, are currently excluded from the entry rules?
The following exclusions are currently in place. That means these remote Aboriginal communities or community amenities listed below are open to tourists and travellers (unless otherwise stated). Read the updated list from wa.gov.au here.
Community entry requirements apply for the following: Jigalong, Parnngurr, Punmu, Kunawarritji and Kiwirrkurra, and Ardyaloon.
Dampier Peninsula, West Kimberley
- Ardyaloon* - Bardi, One Arm Point - Only the airstrip and Ardyaloon Hatchery and Round Rock (bookings are required) *Community entry requirements apply
- Burrguk Banana Wells (entire community)
- Djaradjung
- Djarindjin - Only Djarindjin roadhouse and Dampier Peninsula Police Station are open.
- Embulgun (entire community)
- Gnylmarung (entire community)
- Googar & Goonyool (entire community)
- Goombaragin (entire community)
- Gumbarnun (entire community)
- Lombadina (entire community)
- Mercedes Cove (entire community) - Mercedes Cove Exclusive Coastal Retreat
- Middle Lagoon - Wulgurding
West Kimberley
- Imintji - Immintji, Mount House, Saddlers Springs - Only Imintji Campground, Arts Centre, Roadhouse and store are open.
- Mimbi - Only Mimbi Visitor Access Road and Visitor Reception Building are open
- Mowanjum - Only Mowanjum Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre is open.
- Kupungarri - Mount Barnett , Kupingarra - Only Mt Barnett Roadhouse is open.
East Kimberley
- Violet Valley campground in Baulu-Wah (excluded but not open for business)
- Carranya (entire community)
- Kandiwal - Only the Outback Spirit Ngauwudu Safari Camp and APT Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge (bookings required).
- Wuggubun - Card Creek, Wuggun (entire community)
- Doon Doon (Woolah) Caravan Park
- Doon Doon (Woolah) Roadhouse
Mid-West Gascoyne - read pdf here
- Karalundi - Only Karalundi Caravan Park and shop/cafe are open.
Goldfields
- Ilkulka (entire community)
- Kurrawang Only Kurrawang community office, chapel, basketball court, recreational areas and refuse site are open.
All other remote Aboriginal communities and their amenities are closed to tourists and travellers.
Read the full, latest list from wa.gov.au here
How do we know which communities have entry rules and which don’t?
Communities that are covered by the entry rules are listed in (Schedule 1) of the Remote Aboriginal Communities Directions. Before travelling to any remote Aboriginal community, you should look at the list of communities in the Directions. You should also contact the community first to find out what local protocols or risk management measures are in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Community requirements
Some remote Aboriginal communities have their own requirements for people entering. These requirements are in addition to the rules set out in the Remote Aboriginal Communities Directions.
Non-residents wanting to go into a remote Aboriginal community should contact the community before going there to find out what travel restrictions or entry requirements are in place.
Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and remote communities
Extra COVID-19 health and safety resources are available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and remote communities. Please view them here. The latest newsletter list is here
Useful Maps: Remote Aboriginal Communities
Below are links maps of remote Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley region. These maps are publicly available on the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage website.
EAST KIMBERLEY
Download map - ABL-AboriginalCommunities_East_Kimberley_r.pdf
KIMBERLEY REGION
Download map - ABL-AboriginalCommunities_Map2_A4_r.pdf
WEST KIMBERLEY
Download map - ABL-AboriginalCommunities_West_Kimberley_r.pdf
Where do I go more information?
If you would like more information, please contact the Complex Task Team – Remote Aboriginal Communities at RAC.MU@dpc.wa.gov.au.
You can also call 13 COVID (13 268 43).
COVID-19 coronavirus: Controlled interstate border
Information on WA’s controlled interstate border arrangement, conditions of entry and quarantine. Strict border controls are in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. The Chief Health Officer will continue to closely monitor community transmission in other states and territories and will advise the WA Government if any changes to our borders are required to keep Western Australians protected.
Remote Aboriginal community restrictions within Western Australia are still in place
Traveller Health Messaging
The Department of Health has made the following documents available for use by tourism businesses and Visitor Centres -
