Gunbarrel Highway
Outback desert crossing for the seriously prepared
The Gunbarrel Highway isn’t really a highway — it’s a rough 4WD track that Len Beadell surveyed in the 1950s to connect rocket test sites across Australia’s most unforgiving desert. Running from Wiluna in Western Australia to Yulara near Uluru, this route crosses the Great Western Desert with absolutely nothing in between except red dirt, spinifex grass, and the occasional road train making dust clouds you’ll see from 50km away. The track passes through Carnegie Station, one of the few landmarks in 800km of emptiness.
This is Extreme-level desert crossing that demands serious preparation — dual fuel tanks, multiple spare tires, GPS navigation, and enough water for a week minimum. The corrugated sections will shake your rig apart, bull dust hides deep holes, and summer temperatures hit 50°C. Best tackled April through September in a well-equipped 4WD with recovery gear and satellite communication. You’ll earn bragging rights and understand why early explorers called this country the Red Centre.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Extreme |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 870 mi / 1400 km |
| Duration | 5-7 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1800 ft |
| Best season | April-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with desert preparation |
| Nearest town | Wiluna, Western Australia |
| Land manager | Various pastoral stations and Crown land |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lightly modified 4WD handle the Gunbarrel Highway?
No. You need a properly desert-prepared 4WD with dual spare tyres, long-range fuel tanks, and a full recovery kit. Soft sand, corrugations, and sharp mulga scrub will destroy undersized tyres and underprepared rigs hundreds of kilometres from any help.
When is the Gunbarrel Highway passable and what closes it?
April through September is the viable window — heat alone makes summer crossings life-threatening, with temps regularly exceeding 45°C (113°F). Rain at any time of year can make claypans impassable for days; always check recent track reports before departing Wiluna.
Do you need permits to drive the Gunbarrel Highway?
Sections cross private pastoral stations where gate etiquette and sometimes prior permission are expected — contact relevant stations along your planned route. No single permit covers the whole track, but check current access conditions with the Shire of Wiluna and Carnegie Station before you leave.
What's the hardest section of the Gunbarrel and what should I expect?
The western third out of Wiluna is the worst — deep sand, severe corrugations, and no clear markers in places. Expect slow, grinding progress of 60-100km per day in the tough sections, not the 200km+ days you might plan on paper.
How much fuel do I need to carry for the full Gunbarrel crossing?
There are zero fuel stops for the entire 1,400km between Wiluna and Docker River — carry a minimum of 400 litres. Factor in reduced fuel economy from sand driving and corrugations; most rigs burn significantly more than highway figures across this terrain.
Trail track
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