Information about Yuendumu

Yuendumu community is located two hundred and ninety (290) kilometres northwest of Alice Springs on the Tanami Highway and the area has a population of approximately 900 people.

Entry Permits are required by visitors intending to stay overnight or to visit for a greater period of time. Permit applications are available from the office of the Central Land Council or from their website: http://www.clc.org.au .

Due to recent legislative changes visitor permits will soon no longer be required in town areas. Contact the CLC for more infomation

Language

Yuendumu is a Warlpiri community and the main languages spoken are Warlpiri and English.

Other Facilities and Organisations

Yuendumu has a school (primary and secondary), and a Health Clinic with a resident doctor.

Yuendumu has a large number of independent organisations including a media centre, a youth centre which originally concentrated on substance abuse, an arts centre and a women’s centre. PAW Media, Warukulangu Arts Centre and Mt Theo (youth centre), are all internationally recognised

There is a Police Station at Yuendumu. Council runs a Post Ofice and Centrelink agency.

Willowra also has a Police Station and Centrelilnk agency

See below for information about shops at Yuendumu

How to get to Yuendumu

By Car

Yuendumu is located 290km NW of Alice Springs on the Tanami

Highway – a 3 hour drive. Although only about 70km of the road is unsealed, a 4WD is

recommended. Caution is required when driving on the unsealed road (the

Tilmouth Well to Yuendumu leg) which is subject to surface corrugations and

dust clouds. Watch for wandering stock, road trains and wildlife and ensure

that your vehicle is roadworthy. Carry plenty of water.

Please note that the legal driving speed around Yuendumu is 40km per

hour and be aware of pedestrians and animals on the road at all times. For

updates on road conditions, contact the Yuendumu police on (08) 8956 4004.

Bush Bus

A bus service operates between Alice Springs and Yuendumu on Mondays and Thursdays.

Buying Food, Fuel & Supplies at Yuendumu

There are two general stores in Yuendumu, they are:

Social Club – ‘Big Shop’

Open 9am – 5pm daily

Open from 9am to 12pm Saturday- CLOSED ALL SUNDAY

Major credit cards and EFTPOS are accepted. An ATM Machine is available

Phone 8956 4006, Fax 8956 4007

Mining Company Store

Open 9am – 5pm daily

8956 4040, Fax 8956 4059

Open from 1pm to 5pm over the weekend. Cash and cheques only.

Fuel can be purchased at both outlets.

There are regular freight services to Yuendumu which transport goods and supplies from Alice Springs.

Permits & Protocols

Permits.

People staying overnight, living and/or working in Yuendumu require a permit - contact the Central Land Council on (08) 89564118 or visit their website: http://www.clc.org.au for permit applications.

Photography

No commercial photography around the community is allowed. If in doubt, ask permission before taking photographs. PAW Media, regulates photography.

Walking Around

People should not go for walks outside the Yuendumu community without consulting with traditional owners as areas may be off-limits to visitors for various reasons.

Sorry Business

Please ensure that when speaking with Warlpiri community members that the names of deceased people are not spoken. If there is a sorry camp in the community, people must not enter the camp area without express permission.

No Alcohol

Yuendumu is a dry community and no alcohol or drugs should be brought into the community. Strong penalties apply for possession and transport of alcohol. Permits for residents to possess alcohol may be applied for from the Licensing Commission via the Police and/or Council.

Accommodation

There is no tourist accommodation at Yuendumu. Council runs a Guest House for visiting contractors, temporary employees and people conducting business in the community. The cost per person is $35 (GST Inc) per night - shared rooms and facilities, no linen or requisites supplied.

The closest tourist accommodation is at Tilmouth Well Roadhouse - which is reached BEFORE Yuendumu when travelling from Alice Springs. http://www.tilmouthwell.com