Length:

217 km

Termini:

Eastern: Kakadu Hwy (B21), Jabiru

Western: Stuart Hwy (A1), Humpty Doo

Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:

Humpty Doo, Mount Bundey and Jabiru

Current: A36

Former: 36

General Information:

A36 is a important link between the Stuart Highway, communities in the Arnhem Land region, Kakadu National Park and mining areas around Jabiru.

The road is undivided rural highway standard and passes through mostly bushland and conservation areas.

The Arnhem Highway was named in 1970 after Arnhem Land through which it was proposed to be built and to which it gives access from Darwin. It was previously known at Mount Bundey Road. The name Arnhem Land has been in existence since the late 1620s and its discovery by the Dutch. Arnhem Land is named after one of the two Dutch ships "Pera" and "Arnhem" which on 26 April 1623 proceeded in company along the south coast of New Guinea. During this part of the journey the skipper of the "Arnhem", Meliszoon, and some of his men lost their lives as a result of an attack by indigenous peoples while they were on land. The second mate of the "Pera", William Joosten van Colster, a young man, was then appointed skipper. The two ships separated. After the separation in the southeast part of the Gulf of Carpentaria on 27 April 1623, Colster made some discoveries on his own account. He discovered the northeastern extremity of Arnhem Land, the Wessel Islands and possibly Groote Eylandt in April-May 1623. ¹

1969: Arnhem Hwy sealed to all weather standard. ²

1970: Arnhem Highway name gazetted. ¹

1996: Full width sealing completed. ³

16 August 2011: Works commenced 1 km west of Mt Bundy Creek on strengthening and lifting the existing roadway. Other works along the route include pavement strengthening at Adelaide River Floodplain from the Adelaide River Bridge east for approximately 4 km and upgrades carried out on 12 floodways at various locations between Stuart Highway and Adelaide River. ⁴

November 2011: Installation of left turn traffic lights at the intersection of Stuart Highway and Arnhem Highway, plus extension of turning lanes at the intersection. ⁵

June 2013: Reduction of the maximum speed limit on a reportedly high-risk stretch of the Arnhem Highway from 130 to 110 km/h. The change was applied to a 61 km section of the highway between Lambells Lagoon and Bark Hut Inn. Other speed limit changes were also implemented, such as 80 km/h limits introduced in front of Bark Hut Inn. In front of Corroboree Park, the speed limit was reduced to 100 km/h. The speed limit outside the South Alligator Roadhouse was increased from 80 to 100 km/h. The speed limit remained 130 km/h along the rest of the highway. ⁶

27 October 2014: Construction of guard rails for the Wildman River and Mary River Bridges. ⁷

March 2015: Completion of upgrades between the Stuart Highway and Mount Bundy. Works included constructing four overtaking lanes and three truck parking facilities, as well as strengthening and widening nine sections of road. ⁸

Humpty Doo to Jabiru

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Humpty Doo, July 2017.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the corner of Arnhem Hwy (A36) an Freds Pass Rd, Humpty Doo, July 2018.

Image © Dean Sherry

Regional Welcome Sign:

Arnhem Hwy (A36) as it enters the Wetlands Region at Middle Point, July 2018.

Image © Dean Sherry

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Middle Point, approaching Anzac Pde, July 2018.

Image © Dean Sherry

Intersection Directional Sign:

Corner of Arnhem Hwy (A36) and Anzac Pde, Middle Point, July 2018.

Image © Dean Sherry

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Oen Pilli Road near Jabiru, September 2008.

Image © Kate Pilling

Jabiru to Humpty Doo

Freds Pass Road:

Corner of Arnhem Hwy (A36) and Freds Pass Rd at Humpty Doo, July 2017.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Stuart Highway:

Arnhem Hwy (A36) at the junction with Stuart Hwy (A1) at Humpty Doo, July 2017. This is the western terminus of A36.

Image © Michael Greenslade