Old Gunbarrel Highway
Len Beadell's desert track. No shortcuts.
Len Beadell carved the Gunbarrel Highway through Central Australia in the 1950s to service nuclear testing infrastructure, and the original western section — from Wiluna to Carnegie Station and across to Docker River — remains as raw as it was when his dozers first pushed through. This is not a casual long-weekend run. You are genuinely hundreds of kilometres from help across red sand plains, dried lake beds, and mulga scrub that all look identical. The Carnegie Road section between Wiluna and Carnegie Station is where first-timers discover what real corrugations feel like, and the Sandy Blight Junction Road segment near the NT border is where tyre casualties mount fast.
Difficulty is Difficult-to-Expert depending on recent conditions — soft sand dunes can stop a poorly equipped rig cold, and mechanical failure out here is a survival situation. You need a purpose-built long-range 4WD setup: dual spare tyres, minimum 400 L fuel capacity, UHF and HF radio or a satellite communicator, and enough water for five days without resupply. Western Australian Desert Parks Pass is required. Best window is April through August — summer heat in this country is genuinely lethal. People who complete the Old Gunbarrel earn a story they’ll be telling at campsites for the rest of their lives.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Sand |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 808 mi / 1300 km |
| Duration | 10-14 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2100 ft |
| Best season | April-August |
| Minimum vehicle | Long-range expedition 4WD, dual spares, HF/sat comms |
| Nearest town | Wiluna, Western Australia |
| Land manager | Parks and Wildlife Service Western Australia |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | WA Desert Parks Pass |
| 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Landcruiser 200 Series handle the Gunbarrel, or does it need to be built out?
A stock 200 Series will struggle. You need a long-range fuel setup (minimum 500L carrying capacity), dual full-size spares, reinforced recovery gear, and HF radio or satellite comms — no exceptions. Lift and lockers are strongly recommended given the corrugations, soft sand, and complete absence of help for hundreds of kilometres at a stretch.
When does the Gunbarrel close, and what happens if you go in summer?
The track is passable April through August. Summer (November–February) brings extreme heat regularly exceeding 45°C, which turns a mechanical failure into a life-threatening situation fast. Some sections through the Karlkurla and Gibson Desert can also become impassable after heavy rain at any time of year.
Do you need a permit to drive the Old Gunbarrel Highway?
Yes — a WA Desert Parks Pass is required and covers entry into the protected desert park areas along the route. Get it through the Parks and Wildlife Service WA (parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/desert-parks) before departure; there is nowhere to purchase one on the track.
What's the hardest section of the Gunbarrel and what makes it dangerous?
The stretch between Carnegie Station and the WA/SA border is consistently the most punishing — deep sand, relentless corrugations, and zero infrastructure for roughly 600 km. Tyre damage from sharp desert scrub is common, and a mechanical breakdown here means a sat-comms rescue, not a roadside fix.
How much fuel do you actually need to carry, and where are the resupply points?
Wiluna is your last guaranteed fuel before the track, and Warburton Community (mid-route, roughly 600 km in) is the only potential resupply — call ahead, as fuel availability is not guaranteed. Carnegie Station sometimes has fuel for pre-arranged travellers. Plan your fuel load assuming no resupply and carry a minimum of 500 litres total capacity.
Trail track
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