| Cost | Gallery visits free; camping varies from free bush camps to paid caravan parks |
|---|---|
| Location | Multiple locations across Western Australia (Warakurna, Laverton, Mt Magnet, Newman, Dampier Peninsula, Derby) |
| Pet Friendly | See Camps App |
| Campfires | See Camps App |
| Facilities | Varies by location – roadhouses, clean toilets/showers, camp kitchens, caravan parks and free bush camps available |
| Vehicle Access | Bitumen and unsealed roads including Great Central Road and Gibb River Road access |
| In Camps App | Yes – all mentioned campsites including East Warakurna, Desert Breakaway, Giles Breakaway, Nallan Station, Dales Campground, Nillibubbica Rest Area and more |
If you are travelling through Western Australia and you’d like to learn more about Aboriginal culture there are excellent brochures for Aboriginal bush food and wildflower trails and galleries! Even road trips.
I’m not an art expert, we focus on camp sites! However, when we visited WA, we stopped at every Aboriginal art gallery we found. We’d love to hear your favourites. Here’s some of ours:
Yurliya Gallery, Warakurna Roadhouse
You really can’t get closer to the NT border! Warakurna is famous for Giles Weather Station and we arrived for the balloon release at 8.45am (TIP: make sure you are on Central time not WA time). See the blue streak, museum and the grader. An interesting stop in the Great Central Road WA or Australia’s Longest Shortcut!
The roadhouse opens at 9.30pm, hot food, well priced groceries and good range or fresh produce.
Warakurna Artists is 100% indigenous-owned and located in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. The local artwork was beautiful and is displayed beside the shop at Yurliya Gallery. https://www.warakurnaartists.com.au/
Where we camped: Warakurna Roadhouse has a shady campground with clean toilets and showers behind. There was a good enclosed camp kitchen and motel on the side. We would definitely stay here. However, we were enjoying the bush camps so stopped at East Warakurna the night before amongst the camel prints, and ended up at Desert Breakaway that night. Both are beautiful free camps with lovely sunsets.
Laverton Aboriginal Art Gallery
Laverton is the Great Central Road ending in WA (or beginning). Visit the top info centre and museum (great hot chocolate, my first for many days…). We didn’t time it well for the pub, but luckily the not-for -profit gallery was around the corner. Art and crafts are made by the local Wongi people from the lands of the North Eastern Goldfields and Western Desert region. We continue to be astounded by the artworks out here.
https://www.waitoc.com/members/business-listing/62f736fed7923-laverton-aboriginal-art-gallery
Where we camped: You can stop at the local Caravan park, or free camps along the GCR. Giles Breakaway had good signal, bitumen roads, more importantly the best views of a campsite on the Great Central Road! However, there are loads more free camps all along, and you’ll see them in the Camps App and guides.
Wirdna Barna Art Centre
Mt Magnet has a treasure trove. So glad we stopped in here. The quality of the art was amazing, and all three of us took home our favourites. Mine was “Wildflowers in the Midwest” by Elizabeth (Annie) Walsh. I love it. This outstanding gallery represents Aboriginal Artists from Badimia and Wajarri Country based in Mount Magnet and surrounds.
https://www.wirndabarna.com.au/
Where we camped: There was other camping available, plus an excellent caravan park in town; however, we had to get a few kilometres under our belt, so we continued on to Nallan Station.
Martumili Artists
Newman’s East Pilbara Arts Centre holds a huge gallery. Established by Martu people from the communities of Parnpajinya (Newman), Jigalong, Parnngurr, Punmu, Kunawarritji, Irrungadji and Warralong the colours and walls were amazing. Watch the videos for more cultural information about the artists and their techniques. And they have a shop:
https://gallery.martumili.com.au/
Where we camped: We actually came to Newman from Karijini National Park, had a couple of nights at Dales Campground. Newman has a couple of different places to camp. Check them out in the Camps App and guides.
Ardi Cultural Drive
See the link at the bottom for the Ardi cultural drive, but here’s a bit of a recap on what we did and where we camped on the beautiful Dampier Peninsula.
Mowanjum Art & Culture Centre
Located near Derby, in the Kimberley Region this Aboriginal-owned gallery is very different to all the other galleries we visited. Everywhere we looked was art with Wandjina sacred spirits. To read about their significance was fascinating.
There were great memories for us here watching the tides at the Derby Jetty with the kids. Back then you could drive on it. Also exciting to see a bakery! Love the boabs, the galleries and the new info centre. Sad history here, too, at the Prison Boab Tree.
Where we camped: There are caravan parks in Derby, but this time we were travelling closer to the Gibb River Road, so we actually stopped at Nillibubbica Rest Area.
Check out more Aboriginal trails and experiences.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Aboriginal art galleries can I visit on the Great Central Road?
Along the Great Central Road you can visit Yurliya Gallery at Warakurna Roadhouse (near the NT border) and Laverton Aboriginal Art Gallery at the western end of the GCR. Both feature authentic indigenous artwork from local artists.
Where can I camp near Warakurna Roadhouse?
Warakurna Roadhouse has a shady campground with clean toilets, showers and an enclosed camp kitchen. Alternatively, there are free bush camps nearby including East Warakurna and Desert Breakaway with beautiful sunsets.
What time does Warakurna Roadhouse open?
The roadhouse opens at 9.30am and offers hot food, well-priced groceries and a good range of fresh produce. Note that Warakurna operates on Central time, not WA time.
Which gallery in Newman features Martu Aboriginal art?
Martumili Artists at the East Pilbara Arts Centre in Newman showcases work by Martu people from communities including Parnpajinya (Newman), Jigalong, Parnngurr, Punmu and others. The gallery includes videos about artists and their techniques.
What makes Mowanjum Art & Culture Centre near Derby unique?
Mowanjum Art & Culture Centre is distinctive for its extensive collection of Wandjina sacred spirit artwork. This Aboriginal-owned gallery in the Kimberley Region offers fascinating insights into the cultural significance of these sacred figures.
Are there free camping options along these Aboriginal art trails?
Yes, there are numerous free bush camps along the Great Central Road including Giles Breakaway (with good signal and bitumen access), East Warakurna, Desert Breakaway, and Nillibubbica Rest Area. Check the Camps App for current details and more locations.
What facilities are available at Mt Magnet for visiting Wirdna Barna Art Centre?
Mt Magnet has an excellent caravan park in town, plus other camping options available nearby including Nallan Station. The Wirdna Barna Art Centre represents Aboriginal artists from Badimia and Wajarri Country.
What else can I see in Derby besides Mowanjum Art Centre?
Derby offers several attractions including the historic Derby Jetty for watching tides, the Prison Boab Tree with significant history, boab trees, a new info centre and a bakery. It’s also a gateway to the Gibb River Road.
