Tjukayirla Roadhouse - Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce Tjukayirla?
There are several ways of pronouncing Tjukayirla, but the most common is "Chook- a –yer- la".
Why is the roadhouse called Tjukayirla?
Tjukayirla Roadhouse takes it name from the Tjukayirla Rockholes which are situated at the south-western end of the campground adjacent to a Paine & Barclay survey marker which was placed by the surveyors in the early 1930's during the original survey of the route to Warburton. The roadhouse is also known as the Zoo Roadhouse - this is due to the Zoo Breakaway, a good example of desert breakaway country, that is a short walk across the main road from the rockhole. At times dingos, emus, kangaroos and camels as well as a large variety of birds can be seen around the Roadhouse.
Is Petrol available at Tjukayirla Roadhouse?
Standard Unleaded Fuel is not available anywhere on the Great
Central Road between Laverton (WA) and Yulara (NT).
BP has developed an alternative low-aromatic fuel called Opal Fuel, which is readily
available at all Roadhouses.
Opal Fuel was developed to combat the rising use of petrol as an inhalant in remote indigenous communities, it contains less aromatics or solvents,
which are what produces the 'high' when sniffed.
For more information on Opal Fuel click here
What is the price of Diesel / Fuel?
For our current prices view our Home Page.
What are the road conditions?
For up-to-date information on the current state of our section of the Great Central Road, and current rainfall, view our Home Page.
Is Alcohol permitted at Tjukayirla Roadhouse?
Yes, Tjukayirla Roadhouse is outside the prohibition area for the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. We do not serve or sell alcohol at the roadhouse, so it is strictly BYO! For more information on the Ngaanyatjarra Alcohol By-laws please click here.
Is there an Aboriginal Community at Tjukayirla?
No, whilst the Roadhouse is owned by the Blackstone (Papulankutja) Community, there is no community at the Roadhouse. For a brief history of the Papulankutja Community and the Blackstone Ranges please click here.
What days/hours are you open?
We are open Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm (WST)
Saturday and Sunday from 9:00am to 3:00pm (WST)
Public Holidays, 9:00am to 12noon
Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day & Australia Day
Notes - An after hours fuel/accommodation service is available
until 8pm(additional fees may apply). There is no service after
8pm.
Can I get fuel after hours?
We provide an after hours service for fuel and supplies if necessary. A $20 cash after hours fee applies. We apologise but we are unable to accept cards / cashout for this fee.
Can I get water at the roadhouse
Yes, we have good quality drinking water available to all travellers.
Is EFTPOS Available
Yes, EFTPOS is Available in the store, however we are not able to offer a cash out facility.
Are there artwork or souvenirs available to purchase?
Yes, we stock local paintings, plus a selection of souvenirs such as t-shirts, hats, stickers etc.
Is there mobile phone reception at Tjukayirla?
No, there is no mobile phone reception between Laverton and Warburton. There is a public payphone at the roadhouse (uses prepaid cards available at the roadhouse, or credit card). We recommend carrying a Sat phone when travelling along the GCR.
Is there internet available at the Roadhouse?
No, sorry – due to low download limits and high costs, and our inability to control download content, we are no longer able to offer internet to guests.
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More about Opal Fuel
(reproduced from the pamphlet "Opal Fuel & Petrol Sniffing")
Opal Fuel is a variety of low-aromatic petrol developed in 2005 by BP Australia to combat the rising use of petrol as an inhalant in remote indigenous communities.
With Opal fuel, you will receive equivalent performance with your car compared to regular unleaded
petrol. The fuel economy variation between a vehicle running on Opal compared to regular unleaded is no less than 0.3 litres per 100km
but this can vary depending on vehicle maintenance and driving style.
Opal fuel is less harmful to the environment because it has practically no sulphur, benzene or aromatics.
Police have been working with the government and local communities to reduce the amount of 'normal' unleaded fuel that comes into remote communities.
We have had great success by ensuring that the only petrol that can be bought in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands is Opal.
If you are travelling with normal unleaded petrol in the tank or you are carrying jerry cans which have unleaded petrol in them, we ask that you
take great care to ensure that the petrol is not accessible whilst you are in the Lands.
We especially ask you to make sure that any jerry cans of unleaded are kept extremely secure do not leave them on your trailer or in sight
when you are camping. If you are concerned about the security of the jerry cans, roadhouse staff may be able to assist in securing them overnight.
Petty crime in the Lands increases when people who are susceptible to sniff petrol become aware that there are tourists in the area carrying petrol.
Whilst you are travelling through the Lands we ask you to treat your fuel supplies like gold. This will help the people who live in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands.
If you require more information on Opal Fuel, you can visit BP Australia
More about Alcohol in Ngaanyatjarra Lands.
The Ngaanyatjarra Council (Aboriginal Corporation) By-Laws, which apply to the whole of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands, prohibit the possession and
consumption of alcohol on the Lands. The by-laws allow you to convey any alcohol that you have with you through the Lands, but you cannot consume
it.
The Lands are 159,948 square kilometres in size (compare to the size of England, 130,439 square kilometres). While travelling along the Great
Central Road from approximately 130 kms east of the Tjukayirla Roadhouse right through to the Northern Territory border, you are in the
Ngaanyatjarra Lands and you are subject to the by-laws.
Penalties for breaching the by-laws apply and fines up of to $5,000.00 can be imposed. In addition, any breach of the local by-laws will cause
your permit to enter and remain on the Lands to be reviewed. Please enjoy your time on the Lands.
Information provided by the Ngaanyatjarra Council.