The Canning Stock Route (CSR) is one of the most remote and isolated 4WD tracks in the world and holds it appeal as the "last frontier". This Trek Note contains extensive trip planning information for those that wish to travel self-sufficiently. The Canning Stock Route can be traversed from top to bottom or vice versa. The northern end is approached in the southern Kimberley, near the Billiluna Community on the Tanami Track and as such is affected by wet season conditions throughout the Australian summer and often into Autumn. It is typical for the section containing Wells 36 - 51 to be extremely boggy and can even become impassable at the salt lake areas. Access is totally weather dependant.

In times of wet weather, the section between Wells 2 - 5 through Cunyu Station may be closed to all traffic. This section is also permanently closed to all vehicles towing trailers and "oversize" vehicles. i.e.., any wide track vehicle over the size of a Toyota Troopcarrier (PC) - definitely no Okas, or Akas. Alternative entry points are via private station tracks through Granite Peak (meets CSR Well 5) and Glenayle Stations (meets CSR at Well 9). From the south these tracks are approached from the Gunbarrel Highway or can be used as exit points off the Canning Stock Route for southbound travellers. Both stations charge a fee of approximately $20.

There are 2 alternative access/exit points to the Canning Stock Route being via either of the other 2 stations further to the north (near Well 5, and Well 9) accessed off the Wongawol Road (maintained by Wiluna Shire) about 50km to the east of Wiluna and CSR. Both these stations charge a small fee which is used for track maintenance.

 Interactive Route Map

All vehicles, whether private or in commerical tours, are required to hold permits. Tourist operators can obtain a permit valid for one year, while each vehicle in the tour will be required to obtain an indivudal permit for the duration of the trip.

The permit system is implemented jointly by the Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation (WDLAC) representing the Martu native title holders and the Australian National Four Wheel Drive Council (ANFWDC). The permit is to enable the public to have the right to access the CSR, WAPET road and Talawana Track for the purposes of travel as determined native title land lies along and within the CSR reserve and in the land adjacent to the Canning Stock Route between wells 15 and 40. Travellers should note that even with a permit, access is restricted to several sites, some located within the CSR reserve where their registration as Aboriginal sites under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA) allows them to govern access to these sites, which are:

• Mt Shoesmith


• Wandurba Rockhole


• Billigilli Well


• Jenkins Track


• Percival Lakes


• Callowa Track


• Savoury Creek Track


• Killagurra Spring


• Durba Hills (not to be confused with Durba Springs)


• Biella Spring


• Calvert Ranges AND the track east to Constance Headland

From 1 May, 2007 the Australian National Four Wheel Drive Council website (www.anfwdc.asn.au) is the main point of contact for the issuing of Permits. The website has an on-line Permit application and payment process. Current prices are $50 per vehicle Permit and $15 postage for the package if it is to be mailed to an address within Australia. Postage outside Australia is $27. Permits are valid for a one month period.

For activities other than travel, such as well restoration and scientific tours, an application should be addressed to Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa PO Box 504 Newman WA 6753.

If accessing or exiting the CSR via Glenayle or Granite Peak Stations you need to apply direct for permission and pay a small access fee to these private landowners.

Travel the full length of Australia's longest stock route and to see 51 Wells tapping the great artesion basin constructed by Alfred Canning & Co; see waterholes, gorges, spring and soaks, and enjoyable camping in the remote desert environment.

Do not attempt the Canning Stock Route unless you have extensive outback travel experience and have a very reliable and capable vehicle that has been specifically prepared for a remote, long distance, desert travel. Drivers should focus on assessing the vehicle's suspension, brakes, shock absorbers, steering, bearings etc and spares should be taken of critical components. 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 should read the 4WDriving Topic for related articles and checklists for vehicle setup and driver awareness.

Important Note

Fuel Supplies & Usage

	Wiluna, Kunawarritji Community, Billiluna (Mindibungu) Community, Halls Creek	Diesel	4cyl 310 litres *	ULP	4cyl 242 litres *	LPG	4cyl 392 litres
			6cyl 331 litres *		6cyl 412 litres *		6cyl 345 litres
			8cyl 351 litres *		8cyl 325 litres

Fuel is reliably available at Kunawarritji Community about half way along the route.

Best Time To Visit

Services & Supplies

The following locations have various services and supplies: Wiluna, Kunawarritji Community, Billiluna (Mindibungu) Community, Halls Creek

Other than at Pierre Springs (Well 6) and Durba Springs (Water 18) where toilet facilities have been installed there are no designated campsites. In general most travellers tend to stop overnight at the sites of Wells for convenience (water supply), ease of navigation (calculating distance), something to do (a point of interest), and most contain decent clearings for convoys to spread out, however there are many beautiful sites where you can simply pull over and camp anywhere along the route - taking note not to enter restricted areas nor to impact upon the environment unnecessarily.

Most travellers will be surprised to discover that the desert of the Canning Stock Route supports a vast range of flora and fauna. Although much of the route is classified as sand desert, you'll see many sand dunes that are not only stabilised, but vegetated. Rainfall in the region is erratic with some years recording extremely wet periods that fill salt lakes, ground waters and replenish surface rock holes so the desert you experience one year, may well be very different to the next time you visit.

The most common form of vegetation along the CSR is Spinifex, and all forms of this plant provide habitation for numerous insects, reptiles, small mammals and even birds. The largest eucalypts on the CSR are River Red Gums (Windich, Pierre, Durba) around 20m high. Snappy Gums (up to 10m) are found on stony slopes, laterite ridges and on sand plains and is notable by a white stem and often pink or yellow branches. The Desert Oak is one of the more unusually striking trees that even those with no botantical interest will want to know its name. Often found close to salt lakes (eg. Lake Disappointment) this tree appears in groves often in the absence of vegetation other than small spinifex hummocks and grow to 12 metres. The Desert Poplar thrives in the northern section of the CSR, with lush foliage along branches from the ground up along a single brown trunk. Also of great surprise to first-time desert travellers is the vast amount of flowering plants. Acacias (wattles) of 2-6m are widespread with the Mulga the most prominent species in the station country in the southern section. Travellers will observe changes in vegetation around salt lakes with salt tolerant plants being at ground level such as the silver and ruby saltbush. The Blackboys/Grass Tree (Xanthorrhoea preissii) growing at Well 6 are a unique find being the most northerly stand known in Australia.

Amongst the great range of fauna known to exist within the CSR, termites are extensively obvious and their rapid depletion of woods is the reason why Cannings wooden well formations have lost the battle against time. And when the ants are annoying your camp try to remember the important role they play in aiding flower pollination. The non-stinging wild bee produces honey cells and their hives are found in tree tops, hollow logs, and rock crevices. The much larger black bee found north of Durba Hills, and predominantly north of Killagurra has a ferocious sting. Bees are more active in the cooler parts of the day. Centipedes and millipedes are common and although cause significant pain if bitten are not dangerous. We must mention snakes as the Bandy Bandy, Death Adder and King Brown are known to be present in the CSR region. Over 100 species of birds are reportedly living in close proximity to the Canning Stock Route with honeyeaters, finches, doves, galahs, piegeons, budgerigars, and parrots being predominant and widespread although Durba Springs with its almost permament water supply is one of the best birdwatching areas of the stock route.

Code of Conduct

• All vehicles should carry a sand flag in sand dune country to avoid head-on collisions


• All vehicles should be equipped with the minimum radio communications of an auto-scanning UHF radio. Travellers should ideally scan all stations, but the recommended station for communication (as dictated by the Halls Creek Shire Council) is Channel 40. The use of other channels is dangerous, as some travellers may not have auto-scanning radio sets.


• Do not travel in large convoys - 4 is plenty. Many campsites are small, as are the stops points of interest; larger groups tend to spread out beyond radio signal strength; generally large groups have difficulty travelling at the same speed and can waste time waiting for all to arrive at stop points along the way; passing large groups is a nuisance for other travellers.


• Always be wary of oncoming vehicles - the lead vehicle should periodically call forward on UHF radio at the top of highest dune in area to check for other vehicles on the track.


• At least one vehicle in a convoy should have an HF radio or Satellite Phone for emergency use.
  Heed all signs on the Canning Stock Route for safety and directional use and always keep to the track.


• Avoid travelling with trailers, if required remember you are not allowed to travel north of Wiluna as you will be turned back at Well 2a, or south of Windich Springs (take detours at either Well 9 or Well 5).


• Use toilets provided at Well 6 (Pierre Springs) and Water 18 (Durba Springs) and bring own toilet paper.


• Dig toileting pits well away from campsites, Wells and roadsides with your spade as deeply as possible - thoroughly burn toilet paper at bottom of pit before covering with soil - compact with a spade.


• Never bury rubbish of any kind, even organic - thoroughly burning of small amounts of plastic, paper and foodstuffs at campfires is ok, but you must carry out all your rubbish. Do not leave tins in fires. Carry garbage bags and knot them well - place into large vinyl or hesian sacks that birds cannot penetrate and carry on roof racks. Disposal bins are available at Kunawarritji Community (Well 33).


• Reuse existing campfire pits wherever possible - and ensure they do not build up with ash.


• At less used campsites, create your campfire so that it can be fully covered up - do not leave a big pile of ash and dirt, instead dig a hole so that when you cover it up the ground can be compacted level, leaving no sign of your campsite.


• Do not wash/swim in well troughs


• Do not pour water into troughs for animals - this is problematic


• Replace lids on wells to avoid animals entering and polluting the water supply


• Obey regulatory signs on station properties.


• Do not travel at night


• Do not take souvenirs - the Canning Stock Route is protected under the National Trust and is listed on the register of Australian Heritage Council (WA).


• Recommended travel is between June and September due to extremes of heat, isolation and chance of wet, boggy conditions outside these times.

The Canning Stock Route was created by Albert Canning, who was chosen to survey a route for Kimberley cattlemen to take their stock to the southern markets at a time when cattle tick issues prevented the use of other transport methods. From 1906 to 1907, Canning conducted a full survey from north to south came back in 1908 to 1910 with a team to sink the 51 wells along the 1850km between Halls Creek and Wiluna. Wells were constructed one day's travel apart for a mob of cattle although 26 native wells were used to supply additional water but generally could not be relied on by droving parties. Extra wells were established in southern parts of the route to accommodate the more limited range of sheep.

In 1929 the condition of the original wells and equipment had deteriorated with fire, termites and the occasional act of vandalism to a stage where it became imprudent to drove cattle along the route. At this stage, only 8 mobs of cattle had actually made the trip; the fear of attack by natives was the reason given for the limited acceptance of the route. In 1929 the Government contracted a reconstruction team, lead by William Snell to refurbish all the wells, although the task was never completed. The stock route remained unsuitable for its purpose due to the incomplete refurbishment so in 1930, Canning (now 70 years old) was requested to complete the job.

During WWII (1942 - 1944) the stock route was redefined and the wells brought back into operation in anticipation of an emergency evacuation if the NW was bombed. At the end of the war, shipping of livestock resumed and again the stock route was not required for its original purpose.

The earliest use of vehicles dates back to Snell in 1929, then progressively others with business along the route (eg. drover support, surveyors, government doggers) managed to penetrate further into the sand dune country, as four wheel drives become more available. However, it wasn't until the 1970s that the first complete traverse of the Canning Stock Route by motor vehicle was achieved.

When the fuel dump was established in the 1980's, travellers intrigued by the Canning Stock Route heritage and the challenging overland adventure across Australia's most remote deserts began to travel the Canning Stock Route in greater numbers. Today, the attraction is the journey itself rather than a destination and up to 100 vehicles per day are known to spread out across the route during the peak season.