Canning Stock Route — Hall’s Creek to Wiluna via the World’s Longest Cattle Drive Track
1,900 km. Three deserts. No mercy.
Alfred Canning surveyed this route between 1906 and 1910 to drive cattle from the Kimberley to the goldfields of Wiluna without losing them to thirst — the answer was 51 hand-dug wells strung across three deserts. Today those wells are the waypoints that keep overlanders alive. You’ll cross towering red sand dunes at Well 23 near Libral, ghost gum creek beds at Well 33, and the eerie salt pan at Lake Disappointment if you take the eastern spur. The track churns through soft sand, crumbles over sharp rock, and vanishes entirely in flood-scoured sections. GPS tracks go stale out here. You navigate by well numbers and instinct.
This is an Extreme-rated expedition, full stop. You need two or more well-prepared 4WDs minimum — solo travel is genuinely dangerous. Carry at least 500 litres of fuel (no resupply between Hall’s Creek and Wiluna), 100-plus litres of water per vehicle, a sat phone, and EPIRB. Tyres take a beating from spinifex and rock — bring four full-size spares. Best window is May through August; summer heat is lethal. A self-issue permit is required through the Bibbulmun Track Foundation / relevant pastoral stations. What you get out of it: absolute solitude, a horizon that never lies, and the knowledge that very few people have finished this track under their own power.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Extreme |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 1180 mi / 1900 km |
| Duration | 14-21 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1850 ft |
| Best season | May-August |
| Minimum vehicle | Heavily modified 4WD with long-range fuel and dual spare tyres |
| Nearest town | Hall's Creek, WA |
| Land manager | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions WA / Pastoral Stations |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | exploroz.com |
| 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
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Land Cruiser or lifted truck handle the CSR, or does the vehicle need serious modifications?
A stock vehicle will not survive this route. You need a heavily modified 4WD with a long-range fuel setup (minimum 500L capacity), dual spare tyres, a full recovery kit, and ideally a sat phone and HF radio. Soft sand, sharp spinifex, and corrugations will destroy underprepared rigs — blown tyres and fuel starvation are the two most common trip-enders.
When is the Canning Stock Route actually driveable, and what happens if you go outside that window?
May through August is the only viable window. Summer temps regularly exceed 50°C, making a mechanical breakdown or getting bogged a life-threatening situation. Flash flooding can also cut sections off without warning outside this season — the track does not forgive bad timing.
Do you need a permit to drive the Canning Stock Route?
Yes. Large sections cross Aboriginal land managed under the Martu native title, and you must obtain a permit through the Kartiyarra and Martu communities before entering. Apply well in advance through the relevant Land Councils — showing up without paperwork can mean you're turned back or removed.
What's actually the hardest section on the CSR and what makes it technically brutal?
The Lake Disappointment detour and the high dunefield crossings between Wells 23–35 in the Great Sandy Desert are where most groups suffer. Dunes run 20–30 metres high with steep, blind crests and soft faces — you'll be deflating tyres to 12–15 PSI and working hard all day for minimal distance covered. Getting bogged here, alone, is a genuine emergency.
How do you handle water and fuel resupply across 1,900 km with no services on route?
There are no fuel stops on the CSR — you carry everything from Hall's Creek to Wiluna. With 500L+ long-range tanks and jerry cans, most parties have enough fuel if they run eco throttle, but plan your load carefully before departure. Wells along the route exist but many are brackish or unreliable, so treat all water and carry a minimum of 20L per person as emergency reserve at all times.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.