Central Desert Regional Council

Nyirripi is about 440 km from Alice Springs in the Southern Tanami ward. It has a population of nearly 300 people.

A Journey from Outstation to Community

Its story begins in the late 1970s when several families decided to return to their traditional lands and way of life, away from the pressures of the growing population in Yuendumu. With resilience and hard work, they cleared a 150 km road so they could move back to their traditional country.

Over time, Nyirripi grew in size and significance. As more families joined the community, it eventually transitioned from an outstation to a fully-fledged community. This transformation involved securing government recognition and funding, as well as establishing essential services such as a school, health clinic, and community store.

Nyirripi has faced challenges such as remote location, limited resources, and the impacts of colonisation. However, through strong community leadership, cultural preservation, and government support, Nyirripi has overcome these obstacles and continues to thrive as a vibrant and self-sufficient community. Today, Nyirripi is a testament to the enduring spirit of the Warlpiri people and their deep connection to their land.

Getting there

Nyirripi can be accessed by two main routes.

Head north on the Stuart Highway and turn left onto the Tanami Highway to Yuendumu. From there, Nyirripi is approximately 150 km west-southwest along an unsealed road.
Head north on the Stuart Highway and turn left onto the Tanami Highway until 23 km past Tilmouth Well roadhouse. Turn left on the unsealed Mt Wedge road and continue west to Nyirripi.

For Centre Bush Bus times see Bus Timetables

Services

Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) provides the following services:

CDRC office
Municipal services
Waste management
Airstrip maintenance
Centrelink
Housing maintenance
Tenancy management
Children's Services/Childcare
Aged Care
Youth Sport and Recreation program
Community Safety Patrol

Other Services

School
Remote Health Clinic
Community store with fuel available

Visiting

The Northern Territory Government has put together resources to help your visit to community be successful. Please have a look at the Remote Engagement and Coordination Strategy and Toolkit available from bushready.nt.gov.au and the Nyirripi profile on bushtel.nt.gov.au

You can also visit our Visiting Communities page.