Description
This trek is an interesting route from Jigalong heading east towards
Puntawarri and then further east to where the track meets the famous
Canning Stock Route. This trek requires the correct
permits to be obtained and once the traveller reaches the CSR, can visit nearby Canning’s Cairn, Durba and Diebel Springs before continuing on the CSR. Please allow a comfortable two days to travel from Jigalong to the
Puntawarri Track and
Canning Stock Route jucntion.
The
Puntawarri Track is reasonably well travelled and mainly sandy, with patches of gravel and detours around the washouts. The route follows the valley between the low sand dunes and occasionally around the ends into the next valley. The route includes crossing Savory Creek and then exploring about 15km along the eastern bank. Exploring alongside Savory Creek is one of the highlights of the trip before the route swings east again towards the CSR.
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Puntawarri Track 
From: Jigalong
To: Puntawarri Track & Canning Stock Route
Distance: 217.73 km
Direction: 107 °
Average Speed: 32.7 km/hr
Travel Time: 6 hours 39 mins
Using the Map
Our treks have a moving map facility, to take a virtual tour click on the Play button in the Moving map control (see Moving Map help)
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Speed (5 secs)
Live Tracking
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Permits
Things to See & Do
Sights on the route include: Robertson Range; the upper reaches of Savory Creek; the abandoned
Puntawarri out-camp; various wildlife including camels and donkeys and spinifex plains all in a pristine desert environment.
Preparation
There is no fuel, water or supplies available on the
Puntawarri Track so all of this must be carried. Fuel is only available at Jigalong once you reach the
Canning Stock Route, the only fuel stops are Wiluna at the start of the CSR and
Kunawarritji Community towards the other end.
Please note:
Capricorn Roadhouse in
Newman are unable to deliver fuel out to Well 23 this year (2008) as their truck has blown up. There is talk in
Kunawarritji Community for plans to set up a temporary fuel depot as a stop gap measure this year due to the termination of fuel deliveries by
Capricorn Roadhouse. The temporary dump will not occur as far south as Well 23 and this distance is still to be determined if these plans go ahead. Although, they do not anticipate fuel shortages this season, there is talk on plans for development of a bigger fuel depot at
Kunawarritji Community. For more information on the latest developments, please call Graham at Kunawarritji on: (08) 9176 9040
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.
This is spectacular country but very isolated. You may not see any other vehicles at all on the track. Be well prepared and make all the usual plans and preparations for remote travel. We advise that you refer to the latest information and advice about
4WDriving, 4WD Preparation and articles on Outback
Communications,
Navigation and
Outback Survival. 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 Supplies & Usage
 | Jigalong |
Diesel | 4cyl 31 litres |
ULP | 4cyl 35 litres |
LPG | 4cyl 44 litres |
| 6cyl 33 litres | 6cyl 39 litres | 6cyl 38 litres |
| 8cyl 34 litres | 8cyl 36 litres | |
Usage is averaged from
TrekFuel (* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.
Best Time To Visit
Do not attempt to travel during the summer months.
Closest Climatic Station
Telfer Aero
Distance from Trek Mid Point 217.62km N
| | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun |
Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Mean Max. °C |
40.5 | 38.4 | 37.3 | 34.4 |
29.0 | 25.4 | 25.2 | 28.2 |
32.7 | 37.0 | 39.4 | 40.1 |
| Mean Min. °C |
26.0 | 25.2 | 23.8 | 20.5 |
15.3 | 11.9 | 10.5 | 12.5 |
16.4 | 20.7 | 23.3 | 25.3 |
| Mean Rain mm |
48.2 | 104.0 | 81.7 | 19.1 |
19.2 | 13.5 | 12.8 | 6.1 |
2.3 | 2.4 | 15.5 | 49.4 |
Best time to travel Ok time to travel Travel NOT recommended
Services & Supplies
The following locations have various services and supplies:
JigalongLimited supplies at Jigalong and Kunawarritju Community (Well 33). Caravan Park and good supplies (fresh food) at Wiluna.
Camp Sites & Accommodation
No designated sites - select your own bush camp and be fully self-sufficient.
Environment
On this little known track one travels through pristine desert country that provides a mixture of washaways, rocky outcrops, dry creek beds, and sand dune driving.
The trek tends to follow the spinifex plains between the sand dunes and goes through or around the belts of trees and shrubs along the route. Savory Creek has some spectacular scenery with a river gorge like environment, but water in the pools at Savory Creek should not be relied upon for drinking, it is used by stock and wildlife and the quality is dubious.
History
The traditional owners of the land are the Mandildjarra people.
Gas exploration in the area has been unsuccessful with Akubra 1 and Boondawari 1 abandoned. The now abandoned Rabbit Proof Fence survey by Alf Canning in 1902-03, cuts across the route south of Jigalong. The CSR also surveyed by Alf Canning in 1906-07 and constructed under his management in 1908-10, is at the eastern end of this trek.
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.