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Paraburdoo to Murchison via Mt Augustus Section Image

Paraburdoo to Murchison via Mt Augustus

Difficulty: Trek rating 2.5 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 2.5 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 2.5 of 5 - Click for details   Suitable for: 4WD AWD 
This trek cuts straight down the middle from Paraburdoo to Murchison and it's a great scenic alternative from the North West Coastal Highway and the Great Northern Highway.
StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesParaburdoo
FinishMurchison
Distance807.94 kmMinimum Days2
Average Speed69.32 km/hrDriving Time11 hours 39 mins
Article By: ExplorOz Team   Updated: 1 Apr 2008
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 Description

This trek takes in the World's largest rock - Mt Augustus. After leaving Paraburdoo, you zig zag your way into Mt Augustus, travelling through station country the whole way. The drive can take most of the day, although there are several camping spots along the way. Camping is not permitted in the Mt Augustus National Park. After arriving at Mt Augustus, there are several different places to look at around the base of Mt Augustus. If you wish to climb Mt Augustus, you need to allow 6hrs to climb it - it is well worth the climb. As you head south from Mt Augustus, again through station country, the terrain changes from dry and sparse open land, to green paddocks of wheat. This trek is suitable for softroaders with caution at creek crossings and after rain. This trek can also be linked up with the Karijini & Millstream NPs Trek Note.

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Paraburdoo to Murchison via Mt Augustus Help

From: Paraburdoo
To: Murchison

Distance: 807.94 km
Direction: 202 °
Average Speed: 69.32 km/hr
Travel Time: 11 hours 39 mins

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Map Legend

 Permits

No permits are required to traverse Paraburdoo to Murchison via Mt Augustus, however camping fees may apply.

 Things to See & Do

 Preparation

In relatively remote treks such as this one, it is still important to carry sufficient fuel, water, food, supplies, communications and navigation gear such as a GPS and HF radio, safety equipment and first aid, along with emergency backup supplies. A small range of supplies and fuel is available at Mt Augustus. There are no mechanical repair services available, so make sure you have enough tools and spares in case of a breakdown.

Fuel Supplies & Usage

Fuel SymbolParaburdoo, Mount Augustus, Burringurrah Community, Murchison Diesel4cyl 113 litres ULP4cyl 131 litres LPG4cyl 162 litres
6cyl 124 litres6cyl 146 litres6cyl 142 litres
8cyl 127 litres8cyl 134 litres
Usage is averaged from TrekFuel (* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Gascoyne Junction
Distance from Trek Mid Point 162.66km W
 JanFebMarAprMayJun JulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C 40.739.937.432.8 27.623.622.924.7 28.432.335.238.7
Mean Min. °C 23.624.422.518.6 13.910.49.210.1 12.015.318.121.2
Mean Rain mm 23.929.629.614.5 28.132.228.112.4 3.14.63.24.2
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Services & Supplies

The following locations have various services and supplies: Paraburdoo, Mount Augustus, Burringurrah Community, Murchison
There are limited supplies available at Mt Augustus and Murchison.

 Camp Sites & Accommodation

Murchison - WA   
Populated Place Caravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Resort,Motel
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Mount Augustus - WA   
Populated Place Caravan Park Fuel Toilet Food,Shopping Resort,Motel
Mt. Augustus Outback Tourist Resort foot of Mount Augustus Mount Augustus WA 6705 Telephone: (08) 9943 0527
Paraburdoo - WA   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Campsites (powered and unpowered) as well as cabins are available at the Mt Augustus Tourist Resort.

 Environment

Take the opportunity to climb Mt Augustus - the worlds largest rock. Mt Augustus rises 715m out of the red, stony sandplain, making it the worlds largest monocline (A geologic structure in which all layers are inclined in the same direction, in this case arch-like). It is 2 1/2 times the size of Ayers Rock (Uluru). There are also many shorter walks around the base.

Whilst in the region, keep your eye our for Red Kangaroos, Dingoes, Emus, Goannas (Bungarras), Pink and Grey Galahs, Wedge Tail Eagles, Honeyeaters, Bustards, Black Cormorants, Blue-Winged Kookaburras, Corellas, Wattles, White-barked River Gums. In late winter and spring there are many acres of wildflowers that can be seen including the Everlasting Daisy.

 History

Aboriginal history is very evident in this area. Around Mt Augustus you will be able to see engravings on the rock wall as well as many of the place names are Aboriginal. There are several dream time stories for Mt Augustus, but the most common is the story of a boy called Burringurrah who was undergoing his initiation into manhood. He was so distressed that he ran away. Because of this, he transgressed the Aboriginal tribal law and under the law he had to be punished. Tribesmen chased Burringurrah and speared him in the upper right leg. He fell to the ground with the spear protruding from his leg. Burringurrah tried to crawl away, but the women beat him with their fighting sticks causing him to collapse and die. As you look at Mt Augustus you can see his final lying position, he died lying on his belly with his left leg bent up beside his body. Edney's Lookout, a small peak, represents the spear head.

Mt Augustus was named after Sir Augustus Charles Gregory, the brother of Grancis Gregory who was the first European to climb Mt Augustus in 1858.

 Driving Directions

Time
Direction
Distance
Paraburdoo to Nanutarra Wittenoom Rd & Ashburton Downs Rd 85.37 km NW 293° 1 hr 10 min
Nanutarra Wittenoom Rd & Ashburton Downs Rd to Ashburton River, Ashburton Downs Rd 55.66 km S 186° 46 min
Ashburton River, Ashburton Downs Rd to Ashburton Downs 1.15 km S 195° 1 min
Ashburton Downs to Pingandy Rd & Ashburton Downs Meekatharra Rd 129.66 km SE 127° 1 hr 46 min
Pingandy Rd & Ashburton Downs Meekatharra Rd to Pingandy Ck, Pingandy Rd 60.5 km W 275° 53 min
Pingandy Ck, Pingandy Rd to Dooley Downs 49.41 km SW 239° 46 min
Dooley Downs to Mount Augustus 35.96 km SW 225° 31 min
Mount Augustus to Burringurrah Community 43.22 km S 176° 46 min
Burringurrah Community to Landor 56.02 km S 183° 44 min
Landor to Gascoyne River, Carnarvon Meekatharra Rd 3.22 km SE 140° 3 min
Gascoyne River, Carnarvon Meekatharra Rd to Numgingina 12 km SW 232° 10 min
Numgingina to Erong Rd & Beringarra Byro Rd 126.94 km S 194° 1 hr 47 min
Erong Rd & Beringarra Byro Rd to Derrin Pool 40.13 km W 255° 32 min
Derrin Pool to Mardagee 3.21 km NW 316° 2 min
Mardagee to Carnarvon Mullewa Rd & Beringarra Byro Rd 9.24 km W 284° 7 min
Carnarvon Mullewa Rd & Beringarra Byro Rd to Curbur 44.36 km SW 212° 35 min
Curbur to Murchison 51.9 km S 178° 42 min
Paraburdoo to Murchison 807.94 km     11 hr 39 min
Distance is GPS recorded driving distance (not straight line), Direction is straight line from start to end, Time is calculated from actual GPS driving data.

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Paraburdoo to Murchison via Mt Augustus

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What Others have Said

Latest 3 of 3

Name Not Found : 28 Aug 09 17:44
Has anyone recently travelled from MtAgustus to Paraburdoo via Pinga...
rssprint : 1 May 08 00:30
Travelled this route 18 April 2008 with off road Coromal Magnum camp...
Mike : 6 Oct 07 12:28
Going to Mt Augustus later this month...... Do you need a permit to ...

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