Tanami milestone: Yuendumu to west of Chilla Well now sealed

One of Central Australia’s most gruelling roads is just that little bit safer to drive on with another 150km of sealing completed.

Gary Shipway

less than 2 min read

June 28, 2025 - 8:44PM

The Finocchiaro CLP Government has completed the sealing of 150 kilometres of the Tanami Road in Central Australia, significantly improving safety and access for industry, tourists, and remote communities.

Northern Territory

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One of Central Australia’s most gruelling roads is just that little bit safer to drive on with another 150km of sealing completed.

Tanami Road, also known as Tanami Track or Tanami Highway, is 1,035-kilometre long and connects Alice Springs to the Great Northern Highway near Halls Creek in Western Australia. The road is known for its rugged desert landscapes, including the Wolfe Creek Crater National Park.

It serves as a crucial link for remote Indigenous communities and mining operations.

The NT government says the 150km section will significantly improve safety and access for industry, tourists, and remote communities.

Logistics and Infrastructure Minister Bill Yan said the project marks a major milestone in opening up the Territory and supporting regional economic development.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and Treasurer Bill Yan.

“The Tanami Road is a lifeline for many industries and communities across Central Australia - this upgrade will make travel safer, faster and more reliable,” Minister Yan said.

“It is a key inter-regional freight and access route linking Alice Springs to Western Australia, servicing remote Indigenous communities, pastoral stations, and mining operations.

“Better roads mean better outcomes for freight, mining, tourism and locals - and this is exactly what we’re delivering as part of our year of action, certainty and security.”

The $197 million project, jointly funded by the Northern Territory and Australian Governments, has sealed a 150km stretch of road from Yuendumu to west of Chilla Well.

The work was delivered in two stages: 60km in the first stage and 90km in the second.

A further 11.8km of road was sealed by Exact Contracting in 2021 as part of early works to accelerate progress.

Building on this success, the Territory and Australian governments have committed $289 million in the Budget 2025 -26 to continue upgrading the Tanami.