Road Photos & Information: Northern Territory
Central Arnhem Road and Dhupuma Road (Decommissioned State Route 24)
Statistics:
- Length:
- 662 km
- Termini:
- Eastern: Melville Bay Road (unnumbered), Nhulunbuy
- Western: Stuart Hwy (NH1), Elsey
- Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:
- Barunga, Wulugarr (Beswick), Bulman and Nhulunbuy
Route Numbering:
- Current: C24
- Former: 24
- XX
General Information:
State Route 24 seems to have been allocated, appeared on maps, but not shown on signs, and was a mostly unsealed road connecting several small indigenous communities, farming stations, mining interests and the Gove Peninsula with the Stuart Highway and via it, Darwin. The route is prone to seasonal weather conditions, and often experiences closures due to flooding and is recommended for four wheel drive vehicles only. The Central Arnhem Road section between the Stuart Highway and Mainoru Station access road was originally called Mainoru Road.
The route passes through vast tracts of bushland, and has very limited access to fuel, services and phone signal. Free access passes are required for most road users to pass through or access Aboriginal Land Trust controlled lands in which the route services. Users of the route can experience lots of native wildlife, locally guided tours or visit the art and craft galleries and experience traditional indigenous practices.
Those considering travelling this route are strongly advised to check on their obligations and requirements with Tourism and Events NT and also the Department of Logistics and Infrastructure before commencing any journey along the route.
History:
- 23 October 1991: Mainoru Road renamed Central Arnhem Road. 1
- 2017: Alphanumeric route number C24 appears on signage approaching the intersection with Mainoru Station access road. 2
- June 2021: Completion of upgrade and seal of approximately 6.2 km in length, at Beswick. 3
- December 2021: Completion of upgrade and seal of approximately 14.4 km in length, approaching Goyder River. 3
- December 2022: Completion of upgrade and seal of approximately 4.1 km in length, between Gulin Gulin Airfeld and the Bulman community. 3
- December 2023: Completion of intersection upgrades at the corner Stuart Highway (A1) and Central Arnhem Rd (C24) intersection at Elsey. The project features an expansion of the road width, along with shoulder widening, installation of electrical infrastructure to support street lighting, sealing works and pavement marking. 4
Elsey to Nhulunbuy
Reassurance Directional Sign:
Distance sign missing its route number, Elsey, just after the Stuart Hwy (NH1) junction, 2003.
Image © Jamie Scuglia
2 Sam Laybutt (Ozroads)
3 NT Government, Department of Logistics and Infrastructure, Stakeholder Update, Central Arnhem Road Upgrades: Tender release - Stuart Highway to Tandangle Hill, February 2025.
4 D&P Management, Projects, Stuart Highway and Central Arnhem Road Intersection Upgrade.