Information for visitors to Papunya Tjupi Arts and Papunya Community

Permits

It is a lawful requirement that all visitors, including non-Anangu staff, have a permit when entering Aboriginal land and communities in Central Australia.

Visitors and staff can obtain a permit from the Central Land Council (CLC) before entry, The CLC requests that all visitors comply with the CLC's permit system, notwithstanding that the legal position has changed with regard to certain community access. Regardless of any government changes, a permit is still legally required to visit any Aboriginal land outside of communities. Also see the CLC map for which access roads require a permit. A Permit and Transit Form can be obtained from CLC in Alice Springs on (08) 8951 6320 or via the website at permits@clc.org.au

There are purpose permits with additional conditions for the Media and special projects on Aboriginal land. Projects may include conducting research on anthropology, linguistics or archaeology, or activities on the environment, tourism or filming. Applications for special purpose permits need to allow at least one month for processing because extensive consultations with Aboriginal landowners may be required.

People who wish to stay overnight need to have accommodation organised or provided by the Manager. The Community has limited Visitor Accommodation – check with the CEO.

Accessing Papunya by road - Map

Papunya is 237 kms northwest from Alice Springs. Head north along the Stuart Highway, turn left at the sign indicating the Tanami/Yuendumu/Halls Creek turnoff which is approximately 20 kms from the city. Travel along the Tanami for 116kms until you see (on your right) a sign post indicating the turnoff to Papunya. Finally, travel the 103kms along the dirt road to Papunya. An alternative very scenic route is via Glenn Helen. Turn off 10 mins past Glenn Helen at the sign post indicating ‘Papunya and Haast Bluff’. This road comes to a ‘T’ intersection. Turn right to Papunya.

The condition of roads can vary from month to month due to maintenance schedules, weather and traffic – do not assume that a road previously travelled will always be in the same condition. Weather can make the roads impassable at times. If there has been rain recently check the status of the roads with locals and take great care when travelling. Be aware that many car accidents in remote Australia are single vehicle rollovers because drivers were travelling too fast on unfamiliar roads or not exercising due care.

Vehicles

When entering the Aboriginal lands in a vehicle, please make every effort to ensure that it is diesel. Petrol sniffing is still a concern in most Aboriginal lands and normal petrol vehicles are in danger of being damaged by sniffers trying to steal petrol. We recommended you fill with Opal fuel before coming to Papunya.

As with most communities Papunya has Opal and Diesel bowsers. Shop hours are 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 11.30am Saturday. After hours fuel is not available. Check in advance if you are going to need to re-fuel. LPG is not available.

Flights

Papunya is serviced once a week, on Wednesdays by a mail plane. The plane stops in a number of communities and can take passengers flying in or out between Alice Springs and the community. For information and bookings, contact ChartAir on 8952 6666.

Supplies

Please realise that Papunya is considered a remote Aboriginal community and does not cater for tourists so their range of stock is very limited. Because of high freight costs, prices are also significantly higher than in urban centres. If you need to buy specific food items clarify with the store beforehand on 89 56 8506. Community stores can close at short notice due to unexpected events.

• Always carry non-perishable food for yourself such as nuts, dried fruit, fruit, biscuits and breakfast cereal.
• Carry a water bottle on your person– at least 500 ml in winter and 1 litre in summer.
• If you are travelling in a vehicle you are advised to carry at least 10 litres of drinking water such as spring or rainwater – always seek local advice before drinking tap water.
• When visiting anyone in a community do not assume you will be catered for and clarify what food you can bring/contribute.
• When visiting the art centre it is courteous to ask the staff member if anything is needed from Alice Springs.
• If you have any specific dietary needs, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have provisions with you.

Access to cash

Papunya Community store has an ATM but does not accept credit cards. The Store accepts purchase orders and cheques if you have organised prior too you trip.

Health and medical treatment

There is a clinic at Papunya for emergencies only. Please be responsible for your own health and ensure you have enough of your medication for the duration of your trip. Community clinics are staffed by nurses (no doctor) and carry limited medical supplies. They are often overwhelmed with demands for their services by community members therefore you may have to wait some time for your consultation. Major medical problems may require evacuation by the Royal Flying Doctor Service, however, if it is not a life threatening emergency, visitors will be expected to drive to the Alice Springs Hospital as you are not a community member and have a reliable car.

In particular, Hand hygiene is of paramount importance in Aboriginal communities as flus and other viruses are a constant with a young population. Dogs and dog faeces are a problem in communities, so always wash your hands. Bring a pack of baby-wipes so that you can keep your hands clean.

It is advisable to carry a small basic first aid kit with you including band-aids, Imodium or slippery elm tablets (for gastro upsets), Paracetamol, aspirin, Panadine, Betadine lotion/ointment, disinfectant, and bandages.

Miscellaneous items to carry

• Lip balm/Sunscreen/Insect repellent
• Broad-brimmed hat/towel
• Notebook/diary/maps
• Camera (see protocols)/Binoculars – only to be used outside of communities
• Hot water bottle (in winter!)
• Torch
• Sleeping bag/swag
• Phone cards (public phones do not take coins)
• Cash for personal sundries/cheque book/credit card/EFTPOS for art purchases
• Do not bring valuable items
• Check with your hosts whether there is anything specific you need to bring.

Clothes

• Dress for comfort and practicality – if you are going to spend time with Anangu you may end up sitting on the ground.
• Anangu women consider wearing tight fitting trousers/jeans, revealing skirts or tops as inappropriate and sexually overt. Midriffs and above the knees are never bared. Please be mindful of these sensitivities and dress conservatively - cover-up!
• Practical shoes are strongly recommended
• Remember the red dirt stains clothes – bring clothes you don’t mind being ruined!

Climate

There can be significant fluctuations in temperature.

Winter: From June to August it can be very cold at night, below zero, so make sure you have suitable clothes for mild (during the day) and cold temperatures. A woollen cap/beanie is a good winter accessory.

Summer: From November to the end of February temperatures can be extremely high (exceeding 40 degrees for days on end) – bring cool, light clothes.

Autumn and Spring are delightful with warm days and cool nights, perfect for camping and walking.

Anangu Protocols

Visitors are guests in country that is held under freehold title and only accessible to visitors under strict entry permit conditions. There is no such thing as open tourism in the region.

Any breach of protocols warrants immediate expulsion of the person and group from the art centre, community and preferably the region. For this reason it is important to observe a few basic protocols:

• No alcohol or banned substances are to be taken into or consumed in Papunya and surrounding outstations.
• During cultural ‘business’ roads, sites of significance and sometimes communities are closed to everyone. Men’s business can begin in December and not finish until February. You will need to check prior to travelling that it is OK to travel to and from communities.
• Visits to the community are restricted to the purposes as recorded on the permit
• No item of the landscape may be damaged or removed (rocks, plants, animals)
• Anangu take their ‘duty of care’ to visitors seriously, please do not do anything objectionable and unwise that may endanger yourself or your fellow travellers,
• Do not wear red clothes, headbands or hats – it is a sacred colour and related to ‘business’.
• White shirts and black pants/skirts are worn only at funerals

Photography

At the art centre:

• Visitors must ask the artist permission before taking a photo of an artist.
• Visitors were asked to respect the wishes of the artists
• There are to be no payments made to artists who have posed for a picture.
• No extraneous demands for photo opportunities.
• Visitors are allowed to take photos inside the art centre and outside – but only of the art centre. They are not allowed to take photos of any part of the community and surrounding landscape unless they have arranged prior permission with the council. Many of the places you pass through are potentially sacred sites.
• Visitors are not allowed to take photos of artworks. The art centre is only too happy to offer a print out of the image as an alternative.

Phones

Mobile phones and G3 do not work in Papunya. Public phones are available, but use only phone cards which are available from the store. An alternative is a satellite phone which you can hire from Alice Springs. Calls may be made through community organisations by prior arrangement.

General

• If you are staying overnight clarify whether you are staying independently or with staff on communities.
• Be mindful of the demands on staff and their need for privacy, as staff on communities host many visitors.
• Don’t forget that staff often work long, hard days and please do not expect to be entertained when staff are off-duty.
• Any research you do or willingness you display to read relevant information would be appreciated.
• It is not unusual for first time visitors to experience culture shock – and not be aware of it. Please try to accept your experiences with an open mind and be aware that visiting Papunya is like being in another country. If you begin to feel stressed, anxious and/or confused take some quiet time out.

Further information contact the Manager, Papunya Tjupi on (08) 8964 7141 or the Central Land Council on (08) 8951 6320.