Canning Stock Route — Well 9 to Well 23 via the Gibson Desert Central Corridor
Loneliest corridor on Earth's longest stock route.
Alfred Canning surveyed this route between 1906 and 1910, sinking wells by hand in one of the harshest surveying operations in history. Wells 9 through 23 cut through the heart of the Gibson Desert — a relentless corrugated red-sand corridor between the Great Sandy and Gibson Deserts where the nearest bitumen is roughly 400km in any direction. Well 22 at Weld Springs is the only reliable water source in the central section; every other well requires testing before use. Dune crossings become a daily rhythm — attack angle matters, momentum kills you if you get complacent, and each knife-edged dune crest is blind. Gnamma holes and soakages used by Martu people for thousands of years predate the stock route by epochs.
The CSR is not a trail you attempt without expedition-level preparation. Minimum two vehicles, dual spares per vehicle, 400L+ fuel capacity, and satellite communication are non-negotiable. Three weeks for the full route; this central segment alone runs 6-8 days depending on conditions and your mechanical luck. The track is closed or impassable after any significant rainfall — check with Wiluna or Halls Creek locals before departing. A Birriliburu Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) permit is required for the southern sections; Martu Country requires separate permission through the Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa (KJ) organization for sections north of Well 23. The Gibson Desert rewards patience with silence so complete it physically registers. No crowds. No phone. Just corrugations, sand humps, and stars.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Extreme |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Sand |
| Features | Camping, High Clearance, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 372 mi / 599 km |
| Duration | 6-8 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1850 ft |
| Best season | May-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Fully equipped expedition 4WD, dual spare |
| Nearest town | Wiluna, Western Australia |
| Land manager | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions WA / Martu Traditional Owners |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | DBCA WA — Canning Stock Route Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa — Martu Permits |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Land Cruiser 200 handle this section, or does the vehicle need expedition builds?
A stock 200 Series will get you killed out here — not exaggerating. You need a fully built expedition 4WD with a snorkel, long-range fuel tanks (minimum 500L capacity recommended), dual spares, recovery gear, and a working HF radio or satellite communicator. Soft sand between wells will swallow anything underprepared.
When does this section of the CSR become impassable, and what kills most trip plans?
May through September is the only realistic window — outside that, heat alone is lethal (50°C+ days in summer), and summer rain turns clay sections into axle-deep mud. Most trip failures happen in October when people push the season and hit brutal heat with no bail-out options.
Do you need a permit to drive through this corridor, and who issues it?
Yes — this section crosses Martu Country and you need a Native Title Access Permit from Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa (KJ) before you travel. Apply well in advance at kj.org.au; don't just show up. DBCA also requires self-registration, and some travelers carry both DBCA and KJ documentation.
What's the hardest section between Well 9 and Well 23, and what should you actually expect?
The dunefield crossings between Wells 17 and 20 are the worst of it — long, steep red sand dunes running east-west that you hit at right angles, often in soft conditions after any wind event. Expect multiple recovery situations, serious tyre pressure management (down to 12–15 PSI), and sections where you're relying entirely on your own team to get unstuck.
How much fuel do you actually need to carry between Wiluna and Well 23, and are there any resupply points?
There are zero fuel or resupply points on this route — none. From Wiluna to Well 23 is roughly 450–500km of hard driving on sand, which destroys fuel economy; plan for 80–100L per 100km in heavy going and carry accordingly. Most properly-equipped rigs run 500L+ total capacity for a full CSR attempt.
Trail track
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