Kennedy Range Top Track - Western Australia

Hi all,

I had the opportunity 2 days ago to cross the top of the Kennedy Range. This was on the extreme tail end of my north east trip so in my typical equinox style didn't waste too much time in the area. I did the 151kms in just over 6 hours including lunch and a few stops.

I have uploaded the Oziexplorer plot file to PLOTSWAP.

This track is destined to be a major 4WD tourist track as it is listed in the Draft Management Plan by the DEC. I might add here that DEC would prefer the track not to be used, presumably for liability reasons. I spoke to the DEC gentleman at Mt. Augustus and he was most coy when I asked about the track. He said make sure I take an EPIRB and plenty of water with me if I was to attempt the track. The woman at Mt. Sandiman didn't mind me going past and was appreciative of me stopping in as she said most people drive straight past. Near the Gascoyne a elderly woman in a troopy said she had just drivn the top track with 10 vehicles with a "well known tour operator" whose name I will not mention.

The area around the track (on the range) is most virginal, and I only saw 2 or 3 campfires remains. If you want to visit before all the warning signs and barricades are installed I would suggest going soon. The track is a mixture of old station tracks, mid difficulty washouts and sand ridges. A caravan wouldn't make it. In the sand section one could be forgiven for thinking one was in the Great Sandy Desert. On the western side the track joins the approved 4wd tourist track which starts at Mardathuna Homestead I think, and continues on to the Carnarvon Mullewa Road. Where the two tracks meet the intersection has been modified so the track to the top is easily missed. It is fairly hard and I wouldn't do this one alone if it were your first 4wd trip.

White Stacks and Great Gorge are worthy of a closer inspection.

White Stacks parking/ camping area - 24 23.110S 115 09.918E.
Great Gorge closest point on track - 24 29.386S 115 08.689E.

Crossing the Gascoyne River should not be attempted when it is flowing lol...man that is a big river.

Here's some pictures:

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Regards

Alan