Getting to Maralinga

Entry to the Maralinga Atomic Test site is restricted and the area has a chained gate and hundreds of kilometres of secure perimeter fencing.

Tourist Permits are now available for a limited number of visitors at any one time - from late March to mid-October. The one day tour includes permit for Maralinga entry, a full day tour of the Forward Area – where the atom bombs were exploded and 2 nights camping at the Village campground.

The two day tour includes permit for Maralinga entry, two days touring of the Forward Area – where the atom bombs were exploded and 3 nights camping at the Village campground.

The Note: You need to arrive at the village the day BEFORE your booked tour date.

Maralinga is 400 km NW of Ceduna

It will take you about 5 hours easy driving. Most of the trip is bitumen road with about 80km of unsealed road. The unsealed road stands up well to rain and a couple of inches won't stop you. It can be navigated easily in a two wheel drive, provided you have a reasonable amount of ground clearance. If you hire vehicles, cars or campers, check your limitations for dirt travel with your provider.

Chinta Air do day trips out to Maralinga and the aerial aspect adds a lot to your appreciation of the vastness of this remote part of Australia.

Mud Map Directions

Access to the Maralinga Village is via the Eyre Highway. About 27km west of Nundroo or about 180km west of Ceduna there is a sealed road heading north. Directional signage first appears 78 kilometres north along the Iluka Mine Road. Other ‘white on brown’ reassurance signs are placed at Watson/Maralinga intersection and again at the Oak Valley/ Maralinga intersection, just 8 kilometres south of the Entry Gate. To minimise non-permitted entry, please note that there are no directional signposts on the Eyre Highway pointing to Maralinga.

Maralinga Village is about 225km from Nundroo roughly 2.5-3 hours drive. Allow 5 hours from Ceduna.

GPS

Maralinga Travel Co-ordinates. Kindly supplied by Scott Macdonald. For those that use newfangled GPS devices this is a sheet of co-ordinates.

Our Map

View and download the Maralinga Map and information PDF (about 4.7MB)

Map Point 1 Map Point 2 Map Point 3 Map Point 4 Map Point 5 Map Point 6 Map Point 7 Map Point 8

Map Point 1

Eyre Highway-Iluka Road

The turn off on the Eyre Highway is not signposted at all, though it is a significant intersection. Iluka Resources operate a fleet of road trains that carry ore from the Iluka mine to Ceduna for shipping. These trucks are frequently seen on this stretch and need to be respected. UHF channel 40 is a good way to communicate if necessary.

: Approaching from East

: Approaching from West

: Iluka ore road train

: Beginning of Iluka Road

When coming from Ceduna the turnoff is 27 km West of Nundroo, and the unique Colona woolshed on the North side of the road is only 1.5km before the turn.

Further up the track

The Iluka Road is a great bitumen drive taking in a bit of undulating mallee farmland at the South end which gives way to open myall country then bluebush tableland.

: Southern section of Iluka road

: Further North the country opens out

: A great road, make the most of it

Map Point 2

Map Point 3

Trans-Australian Railway

The Trans-Australian Railway is supported by Telstra mobile phone coverage, this extends to approximately 20 km either side although this may vary.

From Ooldea it takes about 45 minutes to drive to the barrier gate at Maralinga, so this is a good place to call the Maralinga village to arrange access. (08) 8670 4089

: Approaching Ooldea and Telstra phone tower

: The place to call Maralinga to confirm ETA

: Calling Maralinga

: Trans-Australian railway crossing

: Ribbons of steel, dead straight from here for 478 km

: Road heading North from Ooldea

Ooldea is at the Eastern end of the worlds longest straight section of railway line at 478km. At the Western end is Loongana in Western Australia.

Map Point 4

Watson-Maralinga Road

When you hit the Watson-Maralinga Road turn right onto the bitumen, remember this intersection so you don’t miss it on your return trip. The sign says Yalata for the Ooldea Road and Oak Valley for the Maralinga Road. From here you’re on bitumen all the way to Maralinga.

Turn right to Oak Valley and Maralinga.