This trek starts out at the Gull Service Station on the Great Northern Highway approximately 1.3 km north of the Great Northern Highway / West Swan Road junction. It heads off north for 7 km before turning west (left) onto Warbrook Road. About 8 kms later the road becomes a sand track. This track continues westerly until it meets a Transmission Line service track where you turn north (right) and continue to just short of the Pinjar Gas Turbine Station. Here it turns east (right) and runs around the northern side of Muchea Hill, finishing up at the end of Archibald Street, 2 km from Muchea. The trek is sand after the first 15 kms and varies with the weather and conditions from very soft and deep in the dry months, to reasonably firm in the wet months. Some sections of difficult sand driving in soft / deep sand are encountered, particularly on the Eastern leg after the Gas station.

 Interactive Route Map

No permits are required for the West Swan to Muchea trek.

A full tank of fuel will be sufficient for this trek. Fuel and other services, including fast food and drinks, are available at the service stations at either end of the trek.

Minimum recovery gear of a long handled shovel and air compressor for reinflating tyres is suggested. However if travelling in company with another vehicle, the standard sand equipment of snatch strap and shackles are also advisable. If you are not equipped with an on-board air compressor, it is possible to drive slowly (under 40 kph) from the end of the sand to the service station at Muchea and pump up there, as it is only about 2.5 km. It is also wise to carry adequate communications and navigation equipment.

The trek can take 3 hours or more so it’s a good idea to pack the fridge with some drinks and snacks. There are plenty of places to stop, but none could really be called good picnic spots.

Fuel Supplies & Usage

	Upper Swan, Muchea, BP Service Station (East of Muchea)	Diesel	4cyl 8 litres	ULP	4cyl 9 litres	LPG	4cyl 11 litres
			6cyl 9 litres		6cyl 10 litres		6cyl 10 litres
			8cyl 9 litres		8cyl 9 litres

Best Time To Visit

Services & Supplies

The following locations have various services and supplies: Upper Swan, Muchea, BP Service Station (East of Muchea)

The terrain initially is flat and forested pine plantation, and then heads through pretty standard Western Coastal areas consisting of lots of Melaleuca and generally thick, low scrub. There are usually lots of kangaroo’s and birds to be seen.

After turning east towards Muchea, the track becomes quite hilly in parts as it goes over and around the various spurs running off the northern side of the Muchea Hill area. This section of track is also usually loose and soft, requiring tyre pressures to be reduced.

The trek traverses an area marked on some older maps with the following: WARNING - RAAF Air Weapons Range, Prohibited Area. Today, it’s not used as an Air Weapons Range any more, however there is a Rifle Range located within this area. There are Range Boundary signs on the northern most leg of the trek. This trek utilises the Range Boundary fire-break and Power Lines Service tracks and is safe to travel. However, because of the use of the area as a rifle range, you should not venture to the right (east and south) during this trek. At least one organisation has received permission to use this trek whenever required for training purposes, and therefore it is safe to traverse.