It is one of Australia's great outback adventure tracks, but the Tanami Road appears destined to change forever with renewed efforts to have it sealed.

Key points: The unsealed Tanami Road goes for 1,000km between Halls Creek and Alice Springs

The unsealed Tanami Road goes for 1,000km between Halls Creek and Alice Springs The Aboriginal community believes a $235m upgrade to seal it will bring tourists, and opportunities

The Aboriginal community believes a $235m upgrade to seal it will bring tourists, and opportunities Some tourists believe a bitumen road will take away the "outback" feel

The Federal Government has committed $235 million for upgrades which are set to improve the lives of remote community residents.

But not everyone is happy, with some tourists bemoaning the predicted loss of the rugged bush track.

The Tanami Road stretches for more than 1,000 kilometres between Halls Creek in Western Australia and Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.

It is a lifeline for the 400 residents of Balgo on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert, who rely on it for essential supplies and as a thoroughfare to nearby regional centres.

The Tanami Road is a major link between Western Australia and the Northern Territory. ( ABC Kimberley: Matt Bamford )

Wirrimanu Aboriginal Corporation chairman Nathaniel Stretch believes the upgrades will bring unprecedented opportunities to his people.

"There will be tourists coming faster and more trucks will come in ... it will be a good thing for Balgo," he said.

Mr Stretch has been working to ensure the community makes the most of the change.

"I'm doing my best to develop these places when the bitumen comes up.

"We have to do road signs and make this into a town."

Wirrimanu Corporation's Nathaniel Stretch believes the project will bring unprecedented opportunities to his people. ( ABC Kimberley: Matt Bamford )

In the last federal budget, the Commonwealth committed $235 million for upgrades to the Tanami and its feeder roads, which were considered roads of "strategic importance".

"The Australian Government ... wants to ensure more efficient freight networks, improved road safety and better connectivity for communities," a spokesman said.

"Sealing the Tanami Road will contribute to these goals."

The Government said planning was underway with the WA and NT governments and would include the development of "investment strategies" and consultations with key stakeholders.

The road's corrugations can make for hazardous driving conditions and lead to serious accidents. ( ABC Kimberley: Matt Bamford )

Slow and expensive

Once a fortnight, Balgo receives a delivery of groceries, with fresh fruit and vegetables among the most coveted items.

The 300km journey from the Halls Creek turnoff takes truck driver Radar 10 hours.

"You're going from 90 kilometres per hour down to 20kph, so it takes a long time," he said.

"There's a lot of rough patches, it's stony, you've got to be careful of your equipment and tyres."

It is an expensive route and not all goods survive the trip.

"When we order glass or a windscreen, we can't bring it in the truck because the corrugations shake it too much," Mr Stretch said.

"We buy a flat-screen TV and it only last one to two weeks from the corrugations."

Communities like Balgo receive a delivery of fresh fruit and vegetables once a fortnight. ( ABC Kimberley: Matt Bamford )

Tourists unhappy

While residents are looking forward to better access, some tourists are dismayed about the change.

Peter Donald travelled from Horsham in Victoria to see the vast and rugged landscape.

"There's enough sealed roads around so leave some things as they are and make the most of [the Tanami Road]," he said.

"I think it would be a mistake taking the outback feeling away from the outback."

The Federal Government considers the Tanami a road of "strategic importance". ( ABC Kimberley: Matt Bamford )

Mr Donald said he was convinced the environment would suffer.

"There would be too much rubbish, it would just be like the Hume Highway or any other main road," he said.

"You get people who don't respect it and just throw their rubbish out and ruin the whole feeling and whole atmosphere of the place."

Outback alive

In Balgo, work is underway to preserve the outback atmosphere.

A new tourist road has been carved out, opening up sacred lands for visitors, and there are plans to train local tour guides.

"That bitumen is going to come strong and some tourists will miss the rough roads," Mr Stretch said.

"But we will still have the outback, that's why we are trying to maintain the outback from the bitumen."