Hunt Oil Road

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesGreat Central Road & Hunt Oil Road Intersection
FinishGeraldton Bore
DifficultyDifficulty 3/5
Suitable For4WD 
Distance0.3 km
Minimum Days2
Average Speed53 km/hr
Travel Time0 secs
Page Updated: 17 Feb 2020

Description

The Hunt Oil Road is a track that runs nearly 264kms from the Geraldton Historic Society bore (which is 32kms west of Everard Junction on the Gunbarrel Highway) to the Great Central Road, approximately 125kms south west of Warburton. On the southern half, the track is not regularly used for access to the two aboriginal communities to the east, although the southern half of the track is in much better condition than the northern half. It is suggested that you should allow at least two days to travel this track in its current condition as the track is generally overgrown with a number of washaways with some being quite deep. Possibly only a handful of 4WD vehicular parties travel the full length of this track each year.

The track could be used as an alternative to the Heather Highway between Warburton and Carnegie Station. Permits are not needed to travel on the Hunt Oil Road as the track traverses through Crown land. The centre of the track can be high in places and can feature many small shrubs such as Smokebush, Grevilleas and spinifex, so a high clearance 4WD is recommended. It’s important to note that spinifex can be a potential fire hazard when caught on hot areas under the vehicle, so a spinifex screen, fire equipment and exercising precaution is essential.

How to Use this Trek Note

  • To download this information and the route file for offline use on a phone, tablet, headunit or laptop, go to the app store and purchase ExplorOz Traveller. This app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage and the EOTopo webpage.

TIP

ExplorOz Traveller now features the NEW EOTopo 2024 mapset!

Environment

Essentially, when travelling north, the track is poor for the first 150kms. Then just before the climb to the plateau when passing through little gullies near Mt Worsnop, the track deteriorates and for the next 112kms, the track is generally overgrown with a number of washaways with some being quite deep.

TrekID: 82

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP

Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.

Spinifex Warning

The country through which the track passes had received good rains over the last few years (2004) and there was a lot of new growth. The spinifex was green with long seed stalks. Most of the stalks had long heads and were well above the bonnet of our Land Rover and the seeds were very prolific. You need to provide some sort of protection across the full front of the vehicle to avoid, as far as possible, spinifex seeds clogging your radiator. It is highly advisable to continually check underneath your vehicle for spinifex caught around the exhaust pipe and any other hot areas of your vehicle, as a spinifex fire can be disastrous. Powder type fire extinguishers are of little use for spinifex fires as the resin retains sufficient heat to relight a fire that has been snuffed out by the powder. Carry a 5 litre pressurised garden spray filled with water and with a long wand for such events. There are the remains of a burnt-out Nissan on the track as evidence that spinifex fires can be disastrous. Beware of overheating.

Remote Desert Country

Temperatures can rise to 50°C in summer and it has been known to rise to 60°C. Travel during summer is not recommended. This is remote desert country, so be fully self-sufficient. Keep in mind that this is not a well travelled route and there are absolutely no facilities for travellers, not even stations or aboriginal communities.

Your vehicle will need to be extensively prepared for remote area travel, with all fuel, water, food and vehicle repair equipment and spare parts. All travellers must be totally self-sufficient and should read the 4WDriving Topic for related articles and checklists for vehicle setup and driver awareness. High clearance vehicles recommended, and depending on the season, a spinifex blind is highly recommended.

We advise that you refer to the latest information and advice about outback communications in the Communications Topic. For any dune driving you should fly a dune flag from the front of your vehicle to avoid head on collisions on dune tops. Additionally, the lead vehicle in any direction should periodically make calls on Channel 10 from the top of large dunes on the UHF radio to advise oncoming traffic of your position.

Fuel - note that unleaded fuels have long been unavailable in the region in an attempt to combat petrol sniffing issues in nearby Aboriginal communities. Recently, a new fuel from BP called Opal Unleaded, has been introduced to better serve travellers interests, whilst combating petrol sniffing problems. BP Opal Unleaded is available at Warburton, Warakurna Roadhouse, and Docker River.

Permits

None for this track - See Gunbarrel Highway & Great Central Road treknotes.

Fuel Usage

No fuel is available on the Hunt Oil Road. Nearest fuel locations are Warburton, Tjukayirla Roadhouse, Carnegie Station & Laverton.
DieselULPLPG
4cyl 0 litres4cyl 0 litres4cyl 0 litres
6cyl 0 litres6cyl 0 litres6cyl 0 litres
8cyl 0 litres8cyl 0 litres
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Warburton Airfield
Distance from Trek Mid Point 142.42km E
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C38.036.533.929.324.320.720.723.127.931.634.336.6
Mean Min. °C22.922.119.915.110.46.45.77.111.215.518.521.3
Mean Rain mm28.536.731.418.015.417.912.99.85.714.824.731.5
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Gunbarrel Hwy & Hunt Oil Rd to Geraldton Bore
Driving: 0.3 km
Heading: 247°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 00:20
  • Drive east on Gunbarrel Highway. for: 0.3 km time: 00:20
Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

Spinifex, wildflowers, Mt Worsnop, Bores, Drilling camp and caves.

Facilities

Where to Stay

Services & Supplies

No supplies are available on the Hunt Oil Road. Nearest limited supply outlets are Warburton, Tjukayirla Roadhouse, Carnegie Station & Laverton.

Wildflowers

Related Travel Journals

The following are links to Members' Blogs that contain the words Hunt Oil Road. Creating Blogs is restricted to Members only. Not a Member? Join here.

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