Stretching more than 1800 kilometres across the deserts of outback Western Australia, the Canning Stock Route is one of the toughest and most isolated tracks in the world.
Duration 16 days
Stretching more than 1800 kilometres across the deserts of outback Western Australia, the Canning Stock Route is one of the toughest and most isolated tracks in the world. The road connects the 51 wells that were constructed for watering the stock as they took their long journey from Wiluna to Halls Creek. No longer used by drovers, the road is popular with four-wheel drive adventurers, but due to the harsh environment and scarcity of water and fuel, it should only be attempted by seasoned travellers.
Day 1 Wiluna — Well 29
Day 1 Wiluna — Well 29
Day 2: Well 29 — Pierre Spring
Day 3: Pierre Springs — Well 12
Day 4: Well 12 — Calvert Range
Day 5: Calvert Range — Durba Springs
Day 6: Durba Springs — Savoury Creek
Day 7: Savoury Creek — Georgia Bore
Day 8: Georgia Bore — Thring Rock
Day 9: Thring Rock — Kunawarritji Community
Day 10-11: Kunawarritji Community — Well 37 — Well 39
Day 12-13: Well 39 — Well 41 — Well 46
Day 14-16: Well 46 — Halls Creek
Day 1: Wiluna — Well 29
The journey begins at the small town of Wiluna. Gold mining pushed the population as high as 9000 in the 1930s, but in recent years it has stabilised at around 300 people.
Day 2: Well 29 — Pierre Spring
After breakfast you can freshen up at Well 3, which has been fully restored and has a windlass and bucket. The route continues to the campsite at Pierre Spring. Here, you'll find a lush grassy area surrounded by majestic gum trees.
Day 3: Pierre Springs — Well 12
Take time to explore the Ingebong Hills. Those who make the trek up the rocky slopes will be rewarded with a view of the surrounding plains and Mt Davis in the distance.
Day 4: Well 12 — Calvert Range
An early start will allow you plenty of time at your destination — Calvert Range. A loop track around the range will take you past Calvert's Cave and some magnificent examples of Aboriginal rock painting.
Day 5: Calvert Range — Durba Springs
Not far out of the camp is Canning's Cairn, which offers impressive views of Durba. Continue on to Killaguara, a sacred site for local Aboriginal tribes, who covered the rocks with paintings generations ago. Bed down at Durba Springs, an oasis surrounded by high red cliffs
Day 6: Durba Springs — Savoury Creek
Head towards the Diebel Hills, where you can get some fresh water at the Diebel Spring and maybe spot a herd of camels. Then it's time to cross the appropriately named Savoury Creek, a salty waterway.
Day 7: Savoury Creek — Georgia Bore
Savoury Creek flows inland, rather than to the sea, feeding Lake Disappointment. This great white expanse stretches more than 60 kilometers and is one of Australia's largest salt lakes.
Day 8: Georgia Bore — Thring Rock
After breakfast at Georgia Bore, you'll pass the Capricorn Roadhouse, where a fuel drop can be arranged. Make it to Thring Rock before dusk and you'll be treated to a spectacular sunset.
Day 9: Thring Rock — Kunawarritji Community
Pass by the Mujingerra Cave on the way to the Kunawarritji Community. On arrival you'll be able to stock up food, fuel and even souvenirs before settling in for the night
Day 10-11: Kunawarritji Community — Well 37 — Well 39
Day 10 takes you through forests of desert oaks and vast grasslands to the campsite near Well 37. Visible at this well are the graves of three men. Shoesmith and Thompson were two drovers who were murdered here in 1911 while taking their stock along the route. The third grave is John McClernon's, a camel driver killed in 1922.
Day 12-13: Well 39 — Well 41 — Well 46
Early in the day you'll pass the grave of Michael Tobin, who was speared here in 1907. After a night spent among the dunes, you'll head past Guli Lake, another dry salt lake. Take a detour to Gravity Lakes or just settle in at the camp at Well 46.
Day 14-16: Well 46 — Halls Creek
Halfway through the day's driving you'll reach Breaden Hills. A short walk into the ranges will reveal a natural rock pool known as Breaden Pool, where you can escape from the desert heat. Refill the fuel tanks at the Billiluna community before making your way to the Wolfe Creek Crater. Stretching 880 metres across, it is believed to have been formed around 300,000 years ago. A short day's drive will see you arrive at the end of the Canning Stock Route — Halls Creek. The town was the site of Western Australia's first gold rush, and while the strike was short-lived, fossicking in the areas around the town is still popular.
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