Western Australia's Indigenous people are embracing tourism opportunities as a means of economic sustainability for their families and communities.
Increasingly they are inviting Western Australians, as well as national and international tourists, onto their lands to experience the Indigenous culture and lifestyle and the breathtaking beauty of Australia’s North West.
Permission to visit these communities is granted through the Aboriginal Lands Trust at the Department of Indigenous Affairs. Transit Permits are designed to protect the privacy of Indigenous communities, preserve Indigenous heritage and culture, and safeguard the natural environment. Importantly, they also assist in ensuring visitor safety.
There is no cost for the permit, which is a legal requirement under the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority (AAPA). Permits are granted for a period of time to allow travel through the reserve by the most direct route. Permission can also be obtained from the resident Indigenous communities for applicants who want to travel off the main road.
The Department of Indigenous Affairs can be contacted via telephone on +61 8 9235 8000 or online.
Aboriginal elder at Lombadina Mission on the Dampier Peninsula near Broome.