Road Report NT

09/08/2026

BARKLY HIGHWAY
Smoke and fire activity may be visible from the Barkly Highway and may impact visibility in the area.

Motorists travelling through the area are advised to drive with caution, reduce speed where visibility is affected, and be alert for fire activity and emergency vehicles.

For the safety of firefighting crews and other vehicles, drivers in the area are urged to slow down, turn on headlights and drive safely for the conditions.

LOCATION: Barkly Highway, TABLELANDS

BUSHFIRES NT MESSAGE: ADVICE

ALERT LEVEL: Advice - A fire has started in the area. Monitor the situation for changes.

FIRE TYPE: Bushfire.

INFORMATION CURRENT AS AT: 09/08/2026 09:46:00

STATUS: GOING - A fire which is spreading on one or more fronts. Effective containment strategies are not in place for the entire perimeter.

RISKS FACED BY PEOPLE IN THE AREA: Smoke from this fire may affect visibility, Active fire may occur close to the roadside , Firefighting crews may be working close to the roadside.

WHAT TO DO: Conditions may change, monitor conditions in your area.

ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC: Bushfires NT advises there is a bushfire burning in the vicinity of the Barkly Highway, between the Rockhampton Downs Access Road and the Barkly Highway Roadhouse. Smoke and fire activity may be visible from the Barkly Highway and may impact visibility in the area.

Motorists travelling through the area are advised to drive with caution, reduce speed where visibility is affected, and be alert for fire activity and emergency vehicles. For the safety of firefighting crews and other vehicles, drivers in the area are urged to slow down, turn on headlights and drive safely for the conditions.

For further information regarding bushfires, visit Fire Incident Map - https://bushfires.nt.gov.au/incidentmap.

IT IS EXPECTED THIS SITUATION MAY CONTINUE UNTIL: 10/08/2026 10:00:00

INFORMATION AUTHORISED BY: Incident Controller

05/08/2026

At least four people have died following a fatal two-vehicle head-on collision on the Stuart Highway earlier today.

At around 12:50pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received multiple reports of a head-on collision involving two vehicles on the Stuart Highway, approximately 2km south of the Marrakai Road turn-off.

Police, Fire and Rescue Service crews and St John Ambulance attended the scene, where both vehicles were fully engulfed in flames. Sadly, there were no surviving occupants.

A section of the Stuart Highway remains closed while detectives from the Major Crash Investigation Unit investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Schumacher said investigators were continuing to examine the scene and work to formally identify the deceased.

"Due to the severity of the crash, which appears to have been a high-speed head-on collision, both vehicles caught fire, making this an extremely complex investigation.

"At this stage, we have confirmed at least four people have died. However, due to the extent of the damage, we are still working to formally identify the deceased and determine whether there were any additional occupants in either vehicle.

"One vehicle, believed to be a goods van, contains one deceased person. The second vehicle, a dual-cab utility, contains three confirmed deceased."

Traffic diversions remain in place.

Detours for light vehicles will be implemented by the Department of Logistics and Infrastructure as soon as possible. Heavy vehicles are unable to pass through the area at this time, and motorists are urged to avoid the area and expect significant delays.

05/08/2026

Emergency services are currently responding to a serious road crash on the Stuart Highway near the intersection of Marrakai Road.

The Stuart Highway is closed in both directions, and motorists are urged to delay travel and avoid the area if possible.

04/08/2026

⚠️ Charles Darwin National Park access road will be closed from 8 am – 5 pm, Wednesday 5 August for urgent road surface repairs.

During this time, visitors will not be able to enter the park.

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience while these important repairs are completed to improve visitor safety and access.

Please plan your visit accordingly.

03/08/2026

🚧 Wishart Road closure – intersection upgrades underway

As part of the Wishart Industrial Precinct Stage 2 project, led by Land Development Corporation (LDC), intersection upgrades at Wishart Road will require a temporary road closure.

A section of Wishart Road will be temporarily closed from 10 August to 30 October 2026.

Access to nearby businesses and properties will remain open during the works, with detours in place via Tiger Brennan Drive and Berrimah Road.

Please allow extra time and follow all traffic management in the area. For the latest NT road conditions ➡ roadreport.nt.gov.au

Contact LDC for project details or access concerns, call 8944 0904 or email [email protected]

30/07/2026

Ongoing Roystonea Avenue duplication works require the temporary closure of Buscall Avenue between Roystonea Avenue and Lakeview Boulevard.

Construction will take approximately 15 weeks from 5 August 2026 (weather permitting) with works taking place from 7 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday.

Detours will be in place along Terry Drive and Lambrick Avenue during this time with changed access at Terry Drive and Inverway Circuit.

Motorists are asked to take caution during these works and comply with all traffic management and signage in place.

30/07/2026

🚧 Surface repair night works will be taking place on the Stuart Highway in various locations.

Works will occur from 7 pm – 5 am, Thursday 30 July.

Stuart Highway will remain open with traffic management and signage in place.

29/07/2026

🚧 Surface repair night works will be taking place on Kirkland Road, near Toft Road.

Works will occur from 8 pm – 6 am, Wednesday 29 July.

Kirkland Road will remain open with traffic management and signage in place.

28/07/2026

Larapinta Drive

Road resealing works will occur on Larapinta Drive from Battarbee Street to Albrecht Drive from 9 am to 4pm, 31 July and 4 August 2026.

Motorists are asked to comply with all traffic management and signage in place.

28/07/2026

Buscall Avenue works will commence from 5 August as part of the Roystonea Avenue duplication in Palmerston.

From 30 July temporary traffic changes will take place for one week on Roystonea Avenue at the Inverway Circuit and Buscall Avenue intersections.

Inverway Circuit: vehicles can only turn left from Roystonea Avenue into Buscall Avenue and left from Buscall Avenue onto Roystonea Avenue only. Right-turn movements into and out of Buscall Avenue will not be permitted during this period.

Buscall Avenue: vehicles can turn left from Roystonea Avenue into Inverway Circuit and left from Inverway Circuit onto Roystonea Avenue. Right-turn movements into and out of Inverway Circuit will not be permitted during this period.