www.ExplorOz.com
Your browser does not support the site menu
Click Here
to load alternative navigation.
Latest News
Holland Track
From Broome Hill to Coolgardie, the Holland Track was originally built in the gold rush days as a shortcut to the Goldfields.
Click for more ...
All News...
Site Updates...
Search by Topic
Buying a Motorhome
4WDriving
Accessories
Accommodation
Boating
Campers & Trailers
Camping
Caravanning
Communications
Cooking
Driving Skills
Electrics
Itineraries & Planning
Membership
Motorhomes
Navigation
Permits
PlotSwap
Recovery Gear
Servicing
Survival
Technical
Things To Do
Topics
Tours
Trek Notes
Trips with Kids
Tyres
Vehicle Choices
Visit Australia
Newsletters
Your Name
Email Address
Past Newsletters
Full Index
154
155
156
Current Users
Members
30
Customers
2
Visitors
28
Anon
1169
Total
1229
List...
Not Logged on
Click Image to Enlarge
Eagle Hwy
Difficulty:
Suitable for:
The Eagle Hwy is a very isolated track in the Gibson Desert. At the northern end it can take you to the Gary Highway or the Talawanna Track and the southern end finishes at the Gunbarrel Hwy
Start
Eagle Hwy & Gary Hwy or Talawana Tk Access
Finish
Gunbarrel Hwy & David Carnegie Rd & Eagle Hwy
Distance
202.78 km
Minimum Days
2
Average Speed
27.22 km/hr
Driving Time
7 hr 26 min
Article By: Phil Bianchi Updated: 13 Mar 2008
Advertisement
Description
Environment
Interactive Route Map
History
Permits
Driving Directions
Things to See & Do
Trek Feedback
Preparation
Related Pages
Camp Sites & Accomodation
Recommended Reading
In this Trek Note
Description
The Eagle Hwy is a very isolated track in the Gibson Desert. At the northern end it can take you to the Gary Highway or the Talawanna Track and the southern end finishes at the Gunbarrel Hwy.
Leaving the Eagle Hwy track junction with tracks to Gary Hwy or the Talawanna Track, an abandoned 2040 metres deep oil well, Eagle Dragon No 1, drilled in late 1982 is the first stop.
Further south of Eagle Dragon No 1 is an abandoned 1.34 km long airstrip and further south again is a turn off to the right to what is known as the Warri Site. It was at this site the Eagle Oil Company had its camp. The remains of a shed,
water tank
and windmill in a picturesque grove of trees are still evident.
Further south is the turn off to the Karrarinarri Claypan. It was at this site that the last two aboriginal nomads in this part of the desert were found and then relocated. There is a cairn and plaque commemorating the event.
Next stop is Eagle Hussar No 1 oil well (abandoned) and a nearby, another abandoned oil company shed and airstrip.
The track improves as you head south, allowing speeds of 10 to 45 kph and occasionally higher.
Mungilli outstation, (abandoned), is an interesting stopping place with the remains of many buildings, sheds and concrete pads.
Upon reaching the end of the Eagle Hwy turn left to Mungilli Claypan. When we visited it had a large sheet of water that attracted camels and birds.
Once at the bottom end of the Hwy the options are to travel east along the Gunbarrel Hwy to Warburton, south on the
David Carnegie Road
to Tjukayirla Road House or west along the Gunbarrel to Carnegie Station/Wiluna.
On the track there was the odd washaway and rocky outcrop; however it was mainly low scrub with belts of mulga and spinifex flats and very few sand hills.
Interactive Route Map
Eagle Hwy & Gary Hwy or Talawana Tk Access
Heading north from this point will meet the Talawana Track whilst continuing on the Eagle Hwy towards the south east will meet the Gary Highway.
Features:
Position: 124.5555ºE 24.0402ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place:
Eagle Dragoon No. 1 Oil Well
Distance:
5km
Average Speed:
26.66km/h
Eagle Dragoon No. 1 Oil Well
No description entered.
Enter description or photos
.
Features:
Position: 124.5543ºE 24.0798ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place:
Eagle Hwy & Warri Site Access
Distance:
23.65km
Average Speed:
27.95km/h
Eagle Hwy & Warri Site Access
No description entered.
Enter description or photos
.
Features:
Position: 124.4017ºE 24.2116ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place:
Eagle Hwy & Karrarinarri Claypan Access
Distance:
2.69km
Average Speed:
27.27km/h
Eagle Hwy & Karrarinarri Claypan Access
No description entered.
Enter description or photos
.
Features:
Position: 124.3792ºE 24.2205ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place:
Warri Site
Distance:
2.58km
Average Speed:
21.33km/h
Warri Site
No description entered.
Enter description or photos
.
Features:
Position: 124.3624ºE 24.2092ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place:
Eagle Hwy & Karrarinarri Claypan Access
Distance:
2.58km
Average Speed:
21.33km/h
Eagle Hwy & Karrarinarri Claypan Access
No description entered.
Enter description or photos
.
Features:
Position: 124.3792ºE 24.2205ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place:
Karrarinarri Claypan
Distance:
8.77km
Average Speed:
21.67km/h
Karrarinarri Claypan
Karrarinarri Claypan is the site at which the last two aboriginal nomads in this part of the desert, Warri and Yatungka, were found and then relocated to Wiluna in 1977. There is a cairn and plaque at this site commemorating the event.
Features:
Position: 124.3479ºE 24.2671ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place:
Eagle Hwy & Karrarinarri Claypan Access
Distance:
8.77km
Average Speed:
21.67km/h
Eagle Hwy & Karrarinarri Claypan Access
No description entered.
Enter description or photos
.
Features:
Position: 124.3792ºE 24.2205ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place:
Eagle Hwy & Warri Site Access
Distance:
2.69km
Average Speed:
27.27km/h
Eagle Hwy & Warri Site Access
No description entered.
Enter description or photos
.
Features:
Position: 124.4017ºE 24.2116ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place:
Eagle Hwy & Track Junction
Distance:
58.56km
Average Speed:
33.02km/h
Eagle Hwy & Track Junction
Eagle Highway continues north at this track junction.
Features:
Position: 124.4971ºE 24.6790ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place:
Mungilli
Distance:
69.57km
Average Speed:
29.87km/h
Mungilli
No description entered.
Enter description or photos
.
Features: Place Name
Position: 124.2950ºE 25.2431ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place:
Mungilli Outstation Ruins
Distance:
1.1km
Average Speed:
30.24km/h
Mungilli Outstation Ruins
Mungilli outstation (abandoned) is an interesting stopping place with the remains of many buildings, sheds and concrete pads.
Features:
Position: 124.2947ºE 25.2518ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place:
Gunbarrel Hwy & David Carnegie Rd & Eagle Hwy
Distance:
16.81km
Average Speed:
38.41km/h
Gunbarrel Hwy & David Carnegie Rd & Eagle Hwy
Intersection reached after a couple of good days travelling north on the DCR. We approached the DCR from the south turning onto the track and heading north from the Great Central Road (GCR) 15 km west of the Tjukayirla Road House.
Features:
Position: 124.2413ºE 25.3944ºS (GDA 94)
Route Control
Pause
1
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
Zoom Map
Get Waypoints
iMapPlot™ by
I.T. Beyond Pty Ltd.
Permits
None unless using the access and/or exit via the
Great Central Road
.
Things to See & Do
Warri Site
No description entered.
Enter description or photos
.
Eagle Dragoon No. 1 Oil Well
No description entered.
Enter description or photos
.
Karrarinarri Claypan
Karrarinarri Claypan is the site at which the last two aboriginal nomads in this part of the desert, Warri and Yatungka, were found and then relocated to Wiluna in 1977. There is a cairn and plaque at this site commemorating the event.
Mungilli Outstation Ruins
Mungilli outstation (abandoned) is an interesting stopping place with the remains of many buildings, sheds and concrete pads.
Warri Site
Karrarinarri Claypan
Mungilli Outstation Ruins
Eagle Dragoon No. 1 Oil Well
Pristine desert environment, abandoned oil wells, most likely camels and Karrarinarri Claypan, the site were the last two aboriginal nomads in this part of the desert we found and then relocated.
Preparation
This is spectacular country but very isolated. Be well prepared and make all the usual plans and preparations for remote travel, it is essential you be totally self sufficient. Fuel needs are a critical factor. Careful planning and making allowance for soft and difficult terrain is crucial. Our Diesel 80 Series Toyota Landcruiser average fuel consumption was 16.51 litres per 100 kms.
There are no fuel, water or supplies available on the Eagle Highway so all of this must be carried. The nearest limited fuel and supplies are available at Tjukayirla Road House (Great Central Rd), Carnegie Station (Gunbarrel Hwy) and Kunawarritji Community which is further north of the Gary Hwy. If you need unleaded fuel - this may be available at Kunawarritji Community by ordering a fortnight in advance.
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 Information
Please 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, (and also Warakurna Roadhouse and Docker River along the
Great Central Road
).
Fuel Supplies & Usage
Diesel
4cyl 28 litres
ULP
4cyl 33 litres
LPG
4cyl 41 litres
6cyl 31 litres
6cyl 37 litres
6cyl 36 litres
8cyl 35 litres
8cyl 32 litres
Usage is averaged from
TrekFuel
(* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.
Fuel is available at Tjukayirla Road House (Great Central Rd) and Carnegie Station (Gunbarrel Hwy). Limited fuel at Kunawarritji Community. None of these shown on this trek note.
Best Time To Visit
Closest Climatic Station
Carnegie
Distance from Trek Mid Point 185.81km SW
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Mean Max. °C
38.3
36.8
33.8
29.8
25.2
21.1
21.1
23.6
28.6
32.5
35.4
37.2
Mean Min. °C
23.3
22.8
20.0
16.1
10.9
7.0
5.7
7.3
11.8
16.2
19.3
22.1
Mean Rain mm
28.8
53.1
32.7
22.1
16.7
15.0
12.5
7.6
3.5
4.8
11.0
23.8
Best time to travel
Ok time to travel
Travel NOT recommended
Limited supplies and facilities available at Tjukayirla Road House (Great Central Rd), Carnegie Station (Gunbarrel Hwy) and Kunawarritji Community. None of these shown on this trek note.
Camp Sites & Accomodation
Warri Site
No description entered.
Enter description or photos
.
Environment
The desert environment is pristine except for the remains of oil exploration camps, wells and airstrips. Recent rains had promoted a very green look to the spinifex. Although spinifex is the main vegetation, belts of mulga and low scrub are frequently encountered. It is very likely that Camels will be seen; they often frequent this part of the desert.
History
In the early 1980’s the Eagle Oil Company carried out a significant exploration and drilling programme in the area. The Eagle Hwy, as it has since become known, was put in by them.
Karrarinarri Claypan is the site at which the last two aboriginal nomads in this part of the desert, Warri and Yatungka, were found and then relocated to Wiluna in 1977. There is a cairn and plaque at this site commemorating the event.
Driving Directions
Time
Direction
Distance
Eagle Hwy & Gary Hwy or Talawana Tk Access to Eagle Dragoon No. 1 Oil Well
5 km
S
182°
11 min
Eagle Dragoon No. 1 Oil Well to Eagle Hwy & Warri Site Access
23.65 km
SW
227°
50 min
Eagle Hwy & Warri Site Access to Eagle Hwy & Karrarinarri Claypan Access
2.69 km
SW
246°
5 min
Eagle Hwy & Karrarinarri Claypan Access to Warri Site
2.58 km
NW
306°
7 min
Warri Site to Eagle Hwy & Karrarinarri Claypan Access
2.58 km
SE
126°
7 min
Eagle Hwy & Karrarinarri Claypan Access to Karrarinarri Claypan
8.77 km
SW
211°
24 min
Karrarinarri Claypan to Eagle Hwy & Karrarinarri Claypan Access
8.77 km
NE
31°
24 min
Eagle Hwy & Karrarinarri Claypan Access to Eagle Hwy & Warri Site Access
2.69 km
NE
66°
5 min
Eagle Hwy & Warri Site Access to Eagle Hwy & Track Junction
58.56 km
S
169°
1 hr 46 min
Eagle Hwy & Track Junction to Mungilli
69.57 km
S
198°
2 hr 19 min
Mungilli to Mungilli Outstation Ruins
1.1 km
S
182°
2 min
Mungilli Outstation Ruins to Gunbarrel Hwy & David Carnegie Rd & Eagle Hwy
16.81 km
S
199°
26 min
Eagle Hwy & Gary Hwy or Talawana Tk Access to Gunbarrel Hwy & David Carnegie Rd & Eagle Hwy
202.78 km
7 hr 26 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.
Trek Feedback
If you wish to Send Feedback please
Logon Now
What Others have Posted
Related Pages
Great Central Road
The Great Central Road is the main thoroughfare through Central Australia and links WA to NT. It is widely used by buses, trucks, 4WD and occassionally 2WD vehicles.
[Feature Story]
Trek Search
ExplorOz Trek Notes are detailed, factual reviews of destinations in Australia to which you can plan a self-drive camping trip. This page will enable you to access over 100 of these trek notes, using various search methods and at a glance you can see what treks we have in each area across Australia.
Puntawarri Track
The Puntawarri Track is an east-west track situated between Jigalong and the Canning Stock Route (CSR). The track joins the CSR at Canning’s Cairn in the Durba Hills.
David Carnegie Road
The David Carnegie Rd is a little travelled track between the Great Central Rd and the Gunbarrel Hwy. It is a spectacular piece of country with rocky outcrops, spinifex plains and breakaways and in parts challenging 4WDing with deep ruts and washaways.
Canning Stock Route
The Canning Stock Route is a long-distance remote stretch of track through the Gibson and Great Sandy Deserts. No longer in use as a stock route this is now a vehicular track allowing access to the wells constructed as stock watering holes.
Hunt Oil Road
This remote trek links the Gunbarrel Hwy with the Great Central Road. It passes via Mount Worsnop and past the Hunt Oil road camps and drilling sites.
Goldfields Loop
Go back to the turbulent days when new towns sprouted soon after a gold find only to turn to ruins after the gold dried up. The trek paints the picture of the gold rush days in WA, the jubilance and hardships faced and the towns that survived.
Anne Beadell Highway
An inland alternative to travelling the Nullarbor, the Anne Beadell trek offers remoteness, isolation and unique vegetation and wildlife.
Connie Sue Hwy
Named after the daughter of Len and Anne Beadell, the very remote Connie Sue Highway runs over 650kms from the railway town of Rawlinna to the Aboriginal community of Warburton.
Gunbarrel Highway
The Gunbarrel Hwy is one of Australia's most famous roads being the first of many desert tracks built by surveyor Len Beadell. Today, this track remains isolated and remote - for experienced desert travellers only.
Calvert Range to Eagle Hwy
This trek will take you from the remote Calvert Range (off the Canning Stock Route) in the Little Sandy Desert, via the Constance Headland through rarely traversed desert country to the Mungkulu Hills and onto the Eagle Highway.
West Great Victoria Desert
This trek covers the western section of the Great Victoria Desert and is definately 4WD country. If you take this route you will follow in the footsteps of explorers Frank Hann, The Elder Expedition and Len Beadell.
Trek Search
Gunbarrel Highway
Anne Beadell Highway
David Carnegie Road
Canning Stock Route
West Great Victoria Desert
Puntawarri Track
Hunt Oil Road
Great Central Road
Connie Sue Hwy
Goldfields Loop