Best Overlanding Trails in Western Australia
The best overlanding trails in Western Australia run from the limestone spires of the coast to the sand ridges of the Gibson and Great Sandy deserts. The state is huge, and the tracks reward preparation. The Kimberley’s Gibb River Road is the headline act: corrugated red dirt, gorge after gorge, and river crossings that decide whether your trip goes smoothly. South and east, the Canning Stock Route is a different animal entirely, one of the most isolated vehicle tracks on earth.
Difficulty here swings from Easy gravel loops to Extreme desert crossings with no resupply. Most of the pool sits at Difficult, and that rating means corrugations, bulldust, and long gaps between fuel. Expect a ranked list weighted toward remote, committing runs, with a few easier options mixed in.
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Gibb River Road — Derby to Kununurra via the Kimberley Gorge Country (Dry Season Classic, Full Traverse, King Leopold Ranges and Manning Gorge Complete Run)
The full Derby-to-Kununurra run is the benchmark for Australian overlanding: corrugated station track through the King Leopold Ranges, with swim-and-camp gorges like Manning Gorge along the way. It's rated Difficult, not Extreme, so a prepared crew with a well-set-up 4WD can do it in a dry season. Everything else in the Kimberley gets measured against it.
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Canning Stock Route — Well 23 to Well 36 via the Gibson Desert Central Corridor
Wells 23 to 36 take you through the core of the Gibson Desert on Alfred Canning's 1906–1910 route, and the desert hasn't softened since. This is Extreme-rated sand-dune work, a long way from help. It's for experienced, fully self-sufficient crews who want the real Canning, not a taste of it.
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Gibb River Road — Mitchell Falls Spur via King Edward River and Drysdale River Station (Northern Kimberley Remote Spur)
Turn north at the Mitchell Falls junction and you're on a 162-kilometre spur that most Gibb travellers skip. It passes the King Edward River and Drysdale River Station, and it's rougher and emptier than anything on the main road. The reward is Mitchell Falls (Punamii-Uunpuu) at the end, and it's worth the shake-down.
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Gibb River Road — Home Valley Station to El Questro via Pentecost River Crossing and Cockburn Range (Wet Season Approach, Dry Season Classic)
The Pentecost River crossing under the Cockburn Range is the moment many drivers remember from the whole Gibb. In the dry it's knee-deep with a firm bottom, but the water is tannin-brown and crocs are a real concern. Walk it, read it, then drive it.
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Gibb River Road — Windjana Gorge to Bell Gorge via Lennard River and Silent Grove (Classic Southern Entry)
This run takes you from the Napier Range limestone at Windjana Gorge to Bell Gorge, via the Lennard River and Silent Grove. It's where the Kimberley starts working your suspension and your camp setup. A good pick if you want the best gorge-to-gorge stretch without committing to the full 660 km.
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Canning Stock Route — Well 36 to Well 51 via the Gibson–Great Sandy Desert Divide
Wells 36 to 51 cross the divide between the Gibson and Great Sandy deserts, and the track stops pretending to be anything but a remote desert crossing. Dune after dune, minimal traffic, and very little margin for a breakdown. Extreme, and for crews who've already done a lesser desert trip.
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OutbackWay — Laverton to Winton via the Red Centre Dirt Highway (Full Traverse)
The Outback Way runs from Laverton, WA all the way to Winton, Queensland, and it's pitched as the shortest route between Perth and Cairns. It's long, dusty, and Difficult rather than technical. It suits a trip built around distance, remote communities, and open country instead of a single destination.
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Bungle Bungle Range Track — Warmun to Purnululu via the Ord River Plateau and Turkey Creek Station Road
The only way into Purnululu and the Bungle Bungle Range is a 53-kilometre dirt track off the Great Northern Highway near Warmun. It's rough enough to rattle loose gear, and the beehive domes at the end justify it. A short, committing run you can fit into a wider East Kimberley loop.
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Gibb River Road — Bell Gorge to Adcock Gorge via Silent Grove and King Leopold Ranges (Dry Season Interior Traverse)
Bell Gorge to Adcock Gorge through Silent Grove and the King Leopold Ranges is the stretch many Kimberley travellers remember longest. Silent Grove is among the best camps on the Gibb, and the interior traverse that follows is properly remote. Good for a few days of slow driving between swims.
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Gibb River Road — Tunnel Creek to Windjana Gorge via Napier Range Limestone Corridor (Dry Season Southern Entry)
A Moderate run through the Napier Range limestone corridor, linking Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge. Tunnel Creek is a 750-metre natural tunnel you wade through, and Windjana Gorge is next door. It's an easy way into the Kimberley for newer drivers, or a good first leg before the harder tracks.
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Gibb River Road — Adcock Gorge to Manning Gorge via Barnett River Station and Mount Elizabeth
Adcock Gorge to Manning Gorge covers the middle of the Gibb: corrugated, remote, and anchored by Mount Barnett Station at the halfway point. It's a Difficult run with fuel and camping support at the station, so it works well as a self-contained two-day section.
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Canning Stock Route — Well 51 to Halls Creek via Kidson Track and Lake Gregory Desert Corridor
The northern end of the Canning, from Well 51 to Halls Creek, covers the transition where the Great Sandy Desert relents, with the Kidson Track and the Lake Gregory corridor on the way. It's still Extreme, but it finishes the route with a town at the end. A fitting final leg for anyone doing the full Canning north-bound.
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Pinnacles Desert Track — Cervantes to Pinnacles Loop via Nambung National Park
A gravel loop through Nambung National Park, with limestone columns up to two metres tall standing in yellow sand. It's Easy, so it's the pick for families, newcomers, or a rest day between harder tracks. It earns its place for the scenery, not the driving.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to overland in Western Australia?
For the Kimberley and the Canning Stock Route, plan on May through September, when the cooler dry season keeps the Gibb River Road open and the desert temperatures manageable. The wet season closes much of the Kimberley's tracks.
Do I need a 4WD for the Gibb River Road?
Yes, in practice. It's mostly corrugated dirt with ironstone rock, bulldust, and river crossings like the Pentecost. Drop tyre pressures, carry proper spares, and don't plan on a light road vehicle.
Where can I get fuel on the Gibb River Road?
Fuel stops are sparse. Imintji Community store is one of only two on the Gibb, so fill up in town and carry enough to cover the gaps between stations.
How hard is the Canning Stock Route?
It's rated Extreme across the sections here. It's a remote desert track with long dune crossings and no easy resupply, so you need to be fully self-sufficient for fuel, water, recovery, and communications.
Is the Pentecost River crossing dangerous?
In the dry season it's typically knee-deep with a firm bottom, but crocodiles are a genuine concern. Walk the crossing only with care, scout the line, and don't treat it casually.
What's the easiest trail on this list?
The Pinnacles Desert Track at Nambung National Park is rated Easy and runs on gravel. Tunnel Creek to Windjana Gorge is the easiest of the Kimberley options, rated Moderate.