โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
110
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
PERMANENTLY CLOSED (1993) - Former airport site heavily contaminated with asbestos; designated unsuitable for human settlement.
๐ Connection Tips
WARNING: Wittenoom Gorge Airport has been permanently closed since 1993 and the site is heavily contaminated with deadly blue asbestos. The Department of Environment & Conservation designated the area unsuitable for human settlement in 2008. This airport was integral to Australia's blue asbestos mining industry from the 1940s-1960s, serving Colonial Sugar Company's Australian Blue Asbestos Ltd. operations. The runway was paved with asbestos tailings, creating extreme health hazards. Airlines (WA) Ltd. and MacRobertson Miller Airlines operated services bringing approximately 7,000 workers to what became 'the greatest industrial disaster in Australia.' Over 2,000 former workers and residents have died from asbestos-related diseases as of 2024. The mine closed in 1966 due to unprofitability and growing health concerns. In 1996, demolished town buildings were buried at the airport site, further contaminating the area. The entire Wittenoom area remains a significant health risk with no safe access possible. The original 1,200-meter gravel runway served twin-engine aircraft connecting workers to Perth, approximately 1,400 kilometers southwest. Colonial Sugar Company operations extracted over 160,000 tons of blue asbestos from 1943-1966, with airport facilities handling passenger and cargo flights carrying asbestos products. The town's population peaked at 20,000 residents during the 1960s, served by regular Fokker F-27 and DC-3 flights. The Western Australian Government removed Wittenoom from official maps in 2007 and cut off utilities. Today, road access remains possible but is strongly discouraged due to airborne asbestos fiber risks. The site stands as a permanent memorial to victims of industrial negligence and the importance of workplace safety regulations.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
The terminal at Arrabury Airport (AAB) is a misnomer in the traditional sense, as the facility is essentially a private unsealed airstrip serving the Arrabury Station and the remote Tanbar region. There is no formal terminal building, but rather a basic staging area that may include a small shed or shelter primarily used for storing essential supplies or providing temporary respite from the intense Queensland sun. Ground operations are handled on an as-needed basis by station staff, and the apron area is simply a cleared patch of ground adjacent to the runway.
Because the airport serves private and charter aviation almost exclusively, there are no passenger facilities such as check-in desks, security checkpoints, or baggage carousels. Travelers arriving here are typically visitors to the cattle station, government officials, or emergency services such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The check-in process usually involves direct communication with the pilot or station management. The environment is one of extreme isolation, with the nearest significant infrastructure being hundreds of kilometers away.
The lack of amenities is total; there is no running water, electricity, or telecommunications infrastructure dedicated to passenger use at the airstrip itself. Any needs must be met at the Arrabury Station homestead or through the supplies brought by the aircraft. The transition from aircraft to ground transportโusually a 4WD vehicle from the stationโis immediate and takes place directly on the dirt apron. It is a functional facility designed for utility in one of Australia's most rugged and sparsely populated landscapes.
๐ Connection Tips
Connecting at Arrabury Airport is an exercise in meticulous logistical planning rather than a simple airport transfer. Since there are no scheduled commercial services, all connections must be pre-arranged as private charters or coordinated station flights. If your itinerary involves flying into Arrabury and then continuing elsewhere, you must ensure your pilot has up-to-date information on runway conditions, which can change rapidly following the rare but intense rain events characteristic of the Channel Country. The unsealed surface can become unusable when wet, potentially stranding travelers for days.\n\nFuel availability is another critical consideration for any connection at AAB. While the station may maintain some stocks of aviation fuel for its own use, transient aircraft should never assume they can refuel here without prior agreement. Pilots must carefully calculate their fuel reserves, often planning for round trips from larger regional centers like Birdsville, Quilpie, or Windorah. If a mechanical issue occurs, there are no on-site maintenance services; parts and specialized labor would need to be flown in from a major hub, causing significant delays.\n\nFor those using Arrabury as a gateway to the broader Channel Country, ground transport is the only way to connect to other locations. There are no rental cars or public transport options; all movements are via private station vehicles or pre-arranged 4WD expeditions. The vast distances and challenging road conditions mean that a 200km journey to the nearest town can take several hours. It is essential to carry satellite communication devices and ample emergency supplies, as mobile phone coverage is non-existent throughout much of the region.
โ Back to Wittenoom Gorge Airport (Closed)