Gunbarrel Highway — Meekatharra to Laverton via the Central Western Desert
Beadell's dead-straight desert crossing.
Len Beadell pushed the Gunbarrel Highway through the Western Australian desert in the 1950s to service atomic testing sites, and the road hasn’t changed much since. The name isn’t poetic — stretches run dead straight for 100 kilometres at a time across gibber plains, red sand dunes, and spinifex as far as you can see. The corrugations can shake bolts loose on a well-prepped rig, river crossings after rain turn sections impassable for days, and the Carnegie Station stretch is so remote that a breakdown without a PLB is a life-threatening situation. Wiluna is your last fuel point heading east; Laverton receives you on the other side if all goes to plan.
This is a legitimate outback expedition, not a weekend run. A stock 4WD with high clearance and a long-range tank will get you through in dry conditions, but experienced overlanders carry 200L-plus of fuel, 50L of water minimum, a full toolkit, dual spares, and a PLB or sat phone. Best season is May through August — summer heat will kill you and your engine. No permits required. Camping is roadside on crown land through most of the route. The Gunbarrel rewards the prepared with genuine solitude, red-dirt horizons, and the quiet satisfaction of finishing one of Australia’s classic desert crossings.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 870 mi / 1400 km |
| Duration | 5-8 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1800 ft |
| Best season | May-August |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with long-range fuel setup |
| Nearest town | Wiluna, Western Australia |
| Land manager | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (WA) / Shire of Meekatharra |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | ExplorOz Gunbarrel Highway track guide WA Outback Roads information |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
What's the minimum vehicle setup to attempt the Gunbarrel Highway?
High-clearance 4WD is non-negotiable — a stock Hilux or Land Cruiser with standard suspension will struggle on the corrugations and soft sand sections. You need a long-range fuel tank or dual jerry can setup capable of 800+ km without a refuel, plus two full-size spare tyres minimum. A lifted or modified 4WD with a locker is strongly preferred.
When is the Gunbarrel Highway actually passable?
May through August is the reliable window — cooler temps, dry conditions, and firmer track surfaces. Summer (November–March) brings extreme heat pushing 50°C and occasional cyclone rain that can close the track for weeks and turn sections into impassable bog. Don't attempt it outside the dry season unless you have serious desert experience and a death wish for your radiator.
Do you need permits to drive the Gunbarrel Highway?
Parts of the route cross Aboriginal Land Trust country, and you'll need an Aboriginal Land Access Permit from the relevant Traditional Owner organisations — specifically for sections through the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. Apply well in advance through the Central Land Council or Ngaanyatjarra Council; permits are not issued on the spot. Check current requirements before you go as boundaries and conditions change.
What's the hardest section of the route and what makes it so brutal?
The stretch between Carnegie Station and Warburton is where most rigs take damage — relentless bulldust holes, deep sand, and corrugations that will shake bolts loose and destroy cheap recovery gear. There are no bail-out points and no one coming to help if you snap an axle or blow a fuel line. Budget for slow progress: 200 km days are realistic targets through the worst of it.
How far apart are fuel stops on the Gunbarrel, and can you count on them?
The longest fuel gap is roughly 700+ km between Wiluna and Warburton — there is no reliable commercial fuel in between. Warburton Roadhouse is the key mid-route stop, but opening hours are inconsistent and stock can run out; call ahead before you leave civilisation. Carry enough fuel for at least 1,000 km plus a safety buffer, and treat every fuel opportunity as mandatory.
Trail track
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