How much time to do Canning SR

Submitted: Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 11:09

ThreadID: 85539 Views:3255 Replies:12 FollowUps:5

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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

Canning Stock Route

Section: Treks

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 travel along

Member - Shane D (QLD)

Hi all,
We are in the early stages of planning a trip up the Canning stock route in June 2012 and I'm trying to work out a time frame to run the full length from south to north.
I know its a bit like asking how long is peice of string, everybody travels at a different pace and times vary between 6 days and 3 weeks.
We will attempt to see some of sites but won't be stuffing around as we will be coming from Brisbane and only have a month to get in a few other things along to way.
So, How much time for those who have time constraints, allow for, starting from Wiluna, thru to Halls creek?.

EO treks has quoted a figure of approx 45 Kph as an average speed, is this realistic?

I am aware of whats needed in regards to fuel, water, vehicle preparedness etc, but having difficulty sorting out an itinary.

Shane

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Reply By: Michael A (VIC) - Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 11:32

Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 11:32

We spent 3 weeks, Wiluna to Bililuna... Plenty of time with a few rest days. Awesome trip

AnswerID: 450836

Reply By: Member - John (Vic) - Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 11:59

Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 11:59

20 to 25 days is pretty realistic.
Otherwise you have spent a great deal of time and money and not seen much at all let alone enjoyed what it has to offer.
If your in a rush then my view is don't bother.
Do it properly or leave it until a time when you can.

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AnswerID: 450838

Reply By: member - mazcan - Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 12:02

Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 12:02

hi shane
it has always been a 21 day trip and that was back when the stock route had bugger all horregations and i'm talking 1987/2002
which included a day to 2 days rest period at durba springs any less than 21 imho
will just be a full on endurance drive particulary with the terrible horregations for nearly much of trip on todays standards and no where near enjoyable and it also depends what you might find interesting or just plain monotinous

every one has a different perspective of how they enjoy suroundings
everyone has a different view point based on their own experiences and no doubt i will be corrected and a much shorter time will be quoted for what ever reason by who ever
but 21days is a comfortable trip without any major problems giving time to take in the enjoyable ambience of the desert regions
cheers
barry

AnswerID: 450839

Follow Up By: member - mazcan - Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 13:49

Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 13:49

hi shane
in your vehicle prepareness and i dont care whether it's new or second/hand or what vehicle your going in
my advice before you leave is get the spanner etc out and go over and under it and check that every nut bolt and screw and clamp is tight
and if it looks like running loose undo it and put some thread lok on it or replace it with a new one
because believe me the csr will work it loose
thats the best advice i can give based on my own experiences and from my touring groups problems
cheers barry

FollowupID: 723382

Reply By: Member - John and Val - Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 13:05

Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 13:05

Shane,

I agree with the points made by others above. No point rushing if you want to experience the Canning rather than just "doing" it. Wasn't aware of the 45 kph figure in the EO trek notes, but it's wrong. For much of the CSR 45 kph is recklessly fast. It is not a sensible average speed. Last trip, although we are gentle with our vehicle and averaged much less than 45, we limped off the CSR with a broken spring. It is a hard drive and would be very tiring and dangerous if you try to rush it.

John

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Reply By: rocco2010 - Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 13:31

Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 13:31

Gidday

I have made two trips along the Canning without doing the whole length. have you given any thoughts to splitting it in half? Wiluna to Georgia Bore would be a good 10-12 day run and then you could you could exit either east or west. Come back another time and see the rest. I have to say I have great admiration for people who do the whole lot. it would be an endurance test for people and vehicles. On the second trip we came in on the Gary Junction Road from the east to well 33 and there was a group there taking a break and I have to say they looked a bit rattled. Over the next few days we travelled the track both north and south of there and I think I know why. Horrorgations describes it perfectly.

Cheers

Rocco

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AnswerID: 450843

Reply By: B1B2 - Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 17:41

Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 17:41

Shane,
It is a great trip. The time required is definitely 21 days - plus if you have time. Don't forget to read the book "CSR A Travellers Guide" by Ronele & Eric Gard.
We plan on doing it again next year as well.
Horrorgations is a good descriptive word. It is difficult to hear on the radio when mobile. I now use headphones to listen in to VKS broadcasts on HF. The Tanami had been closed and I was listening to hear if it had reopened, which it did just before we arrived there.
We had a couple of suspension problems in our group, so be well prepared. We needed to do some welding.
You will also get a lot of pinstriping, the bushes on the track are fairly solid and you can't avoid them.

Enjoy the trip.

Cheers,
Bill

AnswerID: 450854

Follow Up By: Member - Dunworkin (WA) - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2011 at 01:24

Wednesday, Apr 13, 2011 at 01:24

The knowledge that Ronnie and Eric have of the CSR is second to none. We did the trip with them back in 2005 and it was a fantastic trip, anything we wanted to know they had the answer. We had the history of the CSR driving along with us.
I agree with 21 days, a two day rest at Durba Springs is a must, when you get there you will understand why we say that.
Take your time and enjoy the trip.

Cheers

D

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Reply By: Member - John Baas (WA) - Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 18:58

Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 18:58

Hi Shane.

The others have just about covered it but don't forget to let the tyres down. It was hard tyres that caused the bloody corrugations in the first place. You'll be heavy so suggest 25 at rear and, say, 22 on the front.

Also seeing you're already coming from the great North, why don't you go across to Halls Ck and do it nth to sth. The dunes are much less cut up on the northern approaches and are a delight from that direction. Which they're def. not coming north.

Cheers.

AnswerID: 450864

Reply By: Will 76 Series - Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 19:04

Sunday, Apr 10, 2011 at 19:04

Shane,

The forum feedback is spot on here. We did it with three other vehicles and planed 18 days for the trip. We actually did it in 16 but next time 21 days would be ideal. We had nothing go wrong and great trip. This also included two days at Durba.
Fantastic trip I would suggest getting going early each morning as thats when the animals are around such as camels, foxes, dingoes, birds and such. Another hot tip is to avoid all the real well known wells as there is bugger all firewood. We gathered a bit of wood as we were about 5km from the night locs.
Have a good one, take it easy and enjoy (Tyre pressure is important for the different terrains).

Regards Will

AnswerID: 450866

Reply By: Member - Bucky - Monday, Apr 11, 2011 at 03:42

Monday, Apr 11, 2011 at 03:42

Shane
If you just jiggle along, and take the odd 2 day break, 3 weeks will see you out.

We didn't hurry and got thru in 16 or 17 days.

Is that right Viv ?

Cheers
Bucky

AnswerID: 450894

Follow Up By: Member - Bucky - Monday, Apr 11, 2011 at 03:53

Monday, Apr 11, 2011 at 03:53

Shane
Something else you may consider

There is no speed limit... or time restraint, so go as slow as you need to without damaging your vehicle, that is the hard bit.

Dunes are easy, with 15 psi in your rear tyres, and 12 in the front, and just a little momentum.

I have puy plenty in our trip info on ExplorOz. and Vivien C (member) was with us, has written awesome blogs about the CSR.. You should read them

Click here for some video's

If you need more info feel free to ask.

Cheers
Bucky

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Follow Up By: Member - Shane D (QLD) - Monday, Apr 11, 2011 at 16:12

Monday, Apr 11, 2011 at 16:12

Thanks Bucky ,
Problem is, I DO have a time limit, I fully agree with preserving vehicle by going steady, my 1 HZ powered cruiser is testimonial to that, however, I'm not the type to stop at every dune and take a photo, find every single well and take more photo's, I can set camp in 10 minutes and break camp equally quick, I'm not a yahoo, time can be gained in other ways, not by driving a like a DH

I have no problems with dunes, crossing the Simpson gave me plenty of practise.

EO treks indicated an average speed of 43 ks, EVERY reply has poured cold water on that so where did it come from, why is it so unrealistic??, it seemed to me the homework had well and truly been done
2000ks divide by 43 equals 46.5 hours (approx) driving time, so drive just 4.65 (average) hours a day and that gives plenty of time for the sights, 10 days should see it out (barring issues) well, that's what i thought, 21 days Hmmmm

Thanks for the input, and the link, Durba springs is well and truly in my sights if and when I get out there, thanks agian

Shane

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Follow Up By: Member - Bucky - Monday, Apr 11, 2011 at 19:03

Monday, Apr 11, 2011 at 19:03

Shane
As I said, just jiggle along, and you will do it easy, under 3 weeks.
One thing we did was to head off before 7:00am daily.
We stopped regularly, for cuppers, and for foto moments.
Speed was never a consideration,.amd presto we set up camp about 4pm., but started looking for campsites from 2:30pm, and if we found a good one, then we just set up.
It was all too easy.
Definstely easier than the Simpson, but a lot more isolated,

Bloody beautiful
Cheers Bucky

Will do it again, some time in the future

FollowupID: 723498

Reply By: Ozhumvee - Monday, Apr 11, 2011 at 07:40

Monday, Apr 11, 2011 at 07:40

As Mazcan said even back in the days before it was corrugated when we travelled it in 1992 (we travelled some of it two years ago and its CORRUGATED, see Mick O's videos on his blog) it was always a 3 week trip. If you only have a month from Brissie to Brissie then a destination closer to home might be a better choice.
Trying to do it any quicker will probably lead to vehicle probs as well as people probs and there is no point in that. Travelling slowly allows time to spread the rough bits out into manageable sections and allows time for regular breaks to enjoy the surroundings.
45kph is way too fast for an average, vehicle MUST be in absolute perfect condition.
I've always suggested to people from the eastern coast that they allow a minimum of 6 weeks and the stint from the east to Halls Creek and the return from Wiluna (or vice versa) is purely a transport stage with virtually no time to look around much.

AnswerID: 450897

Reply By: Member - Shane D (QLD) - Monday, Apr 11, 2011 at 15:33

Monday, Apr 11, 2011 at 15:33

Thanks for all reply's, looks like its not gunna happen next year either

AnswerID: 450938

Reply By: Richard W (NSW) - Monday, Apr 11, 2011 at 19:12

Monday, Apr 11, 2011 at 19:12

Shane,
I travelled the CSR with a group last year. We planned 23 days but only took 18 Wiluna to Bililuna. 2 days each at Durba Springs and Breadan Pool.
No permits were available for the Calvert Ranges last year. :(
We were lucky with the weather. Just after we left Wiluna, Wells 1-5 were closed due to wet weather and groups travelling down from the north had 11 days of continuous rain.

AnswerID: 450968