Canning Stock Route — Well 1 to Well 9 via the Gibson Desert Southern Gateway
The benchmark. 1,850km of desert isolation.
The Canning Stock Route is the benchmark. Stretching 1,850km from Wiluna to Halls Creek across the Gibson and Great Sandy Deserts, it was surveyed by Alfred Canning between 1906 and 1910 to move cattle without using coastal routes. The southern section — Well 1 at Wiluna north to Well 9 near Lake Carnegie — throws the first real punches: deep bulldust holes, loose sand between wells, and corrugated spinifex tracks that beat your rig harder than anything south of the tropics. Well 5 (Ngaringarni) marks the first reliable water, but test every well yourself — they go dry, they collapse, they lie. The track here is a mix of clay pans, red sand dunes, and dry creek crossings that demand constant tyre pressure management.
This is not a beginner run by any stretch. Minimum two-vehicle convoy, EPIRB or satellite comms, and at least 500 litres of combined fuel between rigs — the nearest servo is Wiluna, which is itself a long way from anywhere. High-clearance 4WD with a dual-battery setup, a full-size spare minimum (carry two), and a recovery kit you actually know how to use. Best season is May through August. No permit required for the route itself, but notify the Wiluna Police before departure. You earn every kilometre of this one.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 186 mi / 299 km |
| Duration | 5-7 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1640 ft |
| Best season | May-August |
| Minimum vehicle | Fully modified high-clearance 4WD with dual spare |
| Nearest town | Wiluna, Western Australia |
| Land manager | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) Western Australia |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | DBCA Canning Stock Route page ExplorOz CSR overview |
| 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 lightly modified 4WD like a stock Land Cruiser 200 handle Well 1 to Well 9?
No. A stock vehicle will not cut it here. You need a fully modified high-clearance 4WD with a minimum of dual spares, long-range fuel capacity (at least 500km range), a recovery kit, and ideally a second vehicle or satellite communicator. A blown tire or bogged axle in the Gibson Desert with no backup is a life-threatening situation, not an inconvenience.
When is Well 1 to Well 9 actually passable, and what happens if you go outside the best window?
May through August is the only realistic window — austral winter when temps are manageable and the desert tracks are dry. Summer (November–March) brings extreme heat exceeding 50°C and occasional flooding that closes tracks entirely. Going outside the May–August window on this section is genuinely dangerous.
Do you need a permit to drive the Canning Stock Route through the Gibson Desert Southern Gateway?
Yes. The CSR passes through Aboriginal land managed under native title, and you must obtain a free Aboriginal Land Access Permit through the Central Land Council or relevant body before entry. DBCA also requires self-registration at the nearest ranger station or online before departure. Don't skip this — ranger patrols do check, and access can be revoked.
What's the hardest section between Well 1 and Well 9, and what makes it brutal?
The dune crossings in the early Gibson Desert stretch — roughly between Wells 4 and 7 — are the most punishing. Tall, steep-faced longitudinal dunes require precise tire pressure management (typically 18–22 PSI depending on load), good momentum judgment, and constant decisions about line choice. Get it wrong and you're digging out in loose red sand with no shade and no one coming.
How far is it from the Well 1 start to the nearest fuel at Wiluna, and is there water at the wells?
Wiluna is your last fuel point before heading north — roughly 200km from the Well 1 entry area, so factor that into your range before you even touch the track. The historic wells along the CSR are unreliable; some are dry, some contaminated, and none should be treated as your primary water source. Carry all water you need for the full duration, with emergency reserves on top.
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.