Durba Springs — Canning Stock Route Artesian Soakage and Palm Oasis

Durba Springs sits near Well 23 on the Canning Stock Route and is one of the few permanent water sources in this stretch of the Gibson Desert. The spring feeds a cluster of native cabbage palms (Livistona mariae relatives) that rise incongruously from the red sand and spinifex — a legitimate oasis in one of Australia’s most remote corridors. It’s a known watering point used by drovers on the original stock route and remains a critical landmark for CSR travellers today. The contrast between the palms, the red dune country, and the silence is something you don’t forget.

Access is via the CSR track itself — 4WD with good clearance essential, and a Canning Stock Route permit from the Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation (WDLAC) is required before you enter. Water from the spring should be treated before drinking. The area around the springs is culturally sensitive Martu country — treat it accordingly and leave no trace.

Palm oasis in the heart of the Gibson Desert.