EXPEDITION ONE ROAD
WAYPOINT EXPEDITIONS
OVERVIEW: EXPEDITION ONE ROAD - $5985 TRACK “How can mere red dirt and stones and scrubby trees and shrubs and rises and falls in the land and haze and a vast blue sky be so potent? Such was it’s power, even in the intense heat, even at night - the landscape seized you.” 1855KM – Ian Parkes, A Youth Not Wasted 21 DAYS Journey down the CANNING STOCK ROUTE (Yiwarra Kuju – One Road). There is nothing DIFFICULT quite like it on the planet. The fabled and remote track weaves and winds its way through 1800 km of of WA’s spiritual heartland, taking in the Little Sandy, Gibson, Great Sandy PREFERRED and Tanami deserts. For some, it’s the wide open spaces; for others it’s the history that seeps from the sandhills like the grains of sand, for many it’s the challenge of travelling to SELF-CATERED such a remote place; or just the joy of getting over the dunes successfully. Whatever the motivation, the Canning Stock Route (CSR) continues to lure modern adventurers. TOUR INCLUSIONS It is Australia’s top 4WD Track, they don’t come bigger or better than the CSR. It follows the trail blazed by Alfred Canning back in 1906 from Billiluna/Halls Creek in the Kimberley • 21 days of intermediate to advanced 4WDing region to Wiluna in Mid-West Western Australia. • Invaluable tips and tricks to combat Australia’s desert regions It is a place of great natural beauty, with land systems ranging from spinifex plains to • Local expert and touring guide wetlands, dune systems, desert oak forests, spectacular ranges and escarpments and salt • Knowledge about indigenous and European lakes. It is also the longest heritage trail in Australia, containing Aboriginal rock art galleries, history of the area lonely graves of stockmen and explorers, and the series of wells that punctuate the route. • Knowledge about flora and fauna native to Some of these have been restored, and good water can be obtained. Others lie in ruins. the area • 20 nights of million star camping Contemporary explorers with extensive outback and survival experience will enjoy the • Canning Permit fees exhilarating challenges of the Canning Stock Route, crossing sand dunes, stony outcrops • Paruku Permit Fees and corrugations. Sightseeing highlights include the Gibson Desert, Great Sandy Desert, • Private land owner fees ancient Indigenous rock art, historic grave sites and the 51 wells that were originally • Welcome (Wiluna) and farewell (Halls Creek) constructed for the watering of stock. dinners with complimentary drink. • Satellite comms & tracking Waypoint Expeditions supplies a support vehicle fully equipped with recovery equipment, • Remote Area Qualilfied staff with Outback satellite phone, GPS tracking equipment, emergency locator beacon and remote area first 1st Aid Kit aid equipment. TOUR EXCLUSIONS Each Waypoint Expedition is a carefully thought out, planned, and researched route to • Insurance provide you with a unique experience where you not just “tag along” but participate in • 4WD Recovery costs culture of place. We hope, by the time you have finished your journey with us, you will • Alcoholic beverages have a new appreciation of the cultural and historical significance of the Simpson Desert • UHF Radios (can be hired) as well as its importance as one of Australia’s great wilderness areas. • Camping equipment
Travel with Waypoint – experts in outback adventuring for over 20 years.
One road - Yiwarra Kuju The Canning Stock Route is many things in one: a path through the desert, a place where many different people came together, a region with a history that crosses cultures. Yet it is also a symbol of the complex interweaving of Indigenous and non-Indigenous histories that lies at the heart of so many Australian stories.
*** ALL TAG ALONG TOURS*** Due to the nature of where we travel - the ever-changing track conditions and other influences itineraries should be taken as a guide only. EXPEDITION ONE ROAD
WAYPOINT EXPEDITIONS
ITINERARY
CSR Sec 05 The Canning Stock Route (CSR) continues to lure well-equipped modern Well 33 - Well3 9 adventurers to the golden aura of its 1800 km of sandy track from central Through this section remains some of the most historic and poignant to north-western WA, through the Little Sandy, Gibson, Great Sandy and places on the CSR. Sections of the track get quite narrow through here Tanami deserts. and rocky. The going can become very slow. There some good rock holes and caves through this area, a section where we track along sand Due to the nature and the length of this track there is no a day by day dune ridges and some small escarpments providing great views. This itinerary within which to confine this amazing adventure. The expedition is section takes 2-3 days to traverse. planned over the course of 21 days and broken up into sections. Sec 06 A more detailed breakdown of the sections is available upon booking. Well 39 - Breaden Hills The changing desert landscape are quite beautiful through here Sec 01 and there are a choice of routes to follow though most stick to the Wiluna - Well 9 (Weld Spring) original, but Mt Ford/Crescent Ridge is a alternate route for the more This section of track crosses mostly pastoral land and and some amazing adventurous. We visit Lake Tobin, Gravity Lakes and the amazing country and rocky outcrops including tracking along an old creek bed. We Breaden Pool and Godfrey tanks in the Breaden Hills. This section takes visit Windich Springs, Pierre Springs, Ingebong Hills and Lake Talbot. Well 3-4 days to traverse. 9, Weld Spring is now part of a historic reserve, and it also at this juncture the track from Carnegie via Glen-Ayle Station joins the CSR. This section Sec 07 of track can take 2-3 days. Breaden Hills - Billiluna Once north of the Breaden Hills the end of the stock route looms and Sec 02 you’re back in remote pastoral county. Well 49 has some of the best Weld Spring - Durba Springs water on the CSR and Well 52 is the last well on the route. We visit After leaving Well 9 the pastoral country ends and the dunes begin. This Castpaw Hills, Guldiva Soak, and Lake Gregory (Paruku). Billiluna’s is where the real adventure begins. The first sand hills are on the way to Kururrungku store has fuel and supplies and it’s a further 180kms to the Well 11 and north of Well 16 the CSR skirts the Durba Hills. At the north end town of Halls Creek. This section takes 2-3 days. lies the oasis of Durba Springs. Durba Springs is very beautiful and we will have a lay complete free here to explore. This section of track can take 3-5 days.
Sec 03 Durba Springs - Well 23 North of Durba Springs is some of the toughest country on the Canning. Further on is the western edge of the vast Lake Disappointment and Canning’s Cairn which is a bit of climb but a great view! Beyond is Well 22 and the Talawana Track (West to Newman) and Well 23 is the site of the Capricorn Roadhouse fuel dump – those these days most vehicles make the run to Kunawarritji. This section takes 2-4 days.
Sec 04 Well23 - Well 33 A lot of variety through this section of the CSR and some major sand driving. The major junction of the Desert Road aka Gary Junction Rd, Wapet Rd, Kidson Track crosses the CSR 17kms north of Well 32 and just south of Well 33. To the east is Alice Springs, to west Newman and Broome. 4kms west is the community of Kunawarritji (fuel, mechanic, basic supplies, accommodation). We visit Helen Hill, Slate Range, The Hill, Lake George and Thring Rock. This section takes 2-3 days. EXPEDITION ONE ROAD
WAYPOINT EXPEDITIONS
FAQs
WHAT IS THE DISTANCE OF THIS TOUR? The Canning Stock Route from Wiluna is 1685km (Billiluna) 1855km WHAT HAPPENS IF OUR VEHICLE BREAKS DOWN ON TOUR? (Halls Creek). With side trips you need to allow for an extra 350km We will do our best to get you going again but if we can’t, we will discuss the options of getting your vehicle recovered and to where WHERE ARE THE FUELLING POINTS? it can be repaired. We strongly recommend you have cover with a Wiluna [725km] Well 23 Capricorn Roadhouse Refuel nationwide motoring association and also take out travel insurance. Well 23 [271km] Kunawarritji Community Wiluna [994km] Kunawarritji Community HOW DO I BOOK? Kunawarritji [691km] Billiluna EXPEDITION ONE ROAD is available once a season. Bookings can be Billiluna [185km] Halls Creek made online via the payment gateway or an offline booking form. Kunawarritji [880km] Halls Creek WHAT DO WE NEED TO BRING? DO I NEED TO CARRY EXTRA FUEL? The most important thing to pack is a sense of adventure. Don’t worry Yes – the longest distance between fuel stops is 870km through if you have misplaced yours as you will soon find it on the tour! Once mostly 4WD terrain. Recommend 3 x 20lt jerries of additional fuel for your place has been confirmed a Briefing Kit with all the information most vehicles. you will need will be sent to you. It will contain list of suggestions, spare parts, maps, camping requirements, etc. HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD I CARRY? This question is about preference and capacity but recommended you WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET SICK OR INJURED? carry at least 50lt of drinking water and 70lt of general usage water. If you become sick on the trip all efforts will be made to maintain your There may opportunity to refill general usage but the longest time comfort and enjoyment. Our Expedition Leaders are first aid trained between drinking water refills is 9 days. (Remote Area First Aid) and experienced in emergency management. In the event of an emergency the tour leader carries a Spot Tracker ARE CAMPER TRAILERS/CARAVANS ALLOWED? emergency beacon for emergency assistance and a Sat phone. No. Unfortunately due the difficult nature of some of the tracks, the Vehicles are also fitted with UHF radios for local radio contact and fragility of the environment and other considerations, camper trailers satellite tracking. and caravans are prohibited to Well 9.
WHAT TYPE OF 4WD IS SUITABLE FOR THESE EXPEDITIONS? 4WDs that have medium to high clearance and a high/low transfer case, with a quality set of springs and shock absorbers as well as All Terrain / Mud Terrain tyres with at least 70% tread. UHF Radio either hand held or fitted is a must as well. These expeditions are not suitable for AWDs. RESPECT THE DESERT
DO WE GET TIME FOR SIGHTSEEING Please make best efforts to minimise impact on the desert Absolutely! You will get plenty of time to explore, bushwalk, fish, environment photograph, stargaze and take in the beauty and grandeur of the places we visit. • Keep to well-defined access routes across the desert to avoid damaging the vegetation and fragile landscape LIMITED 4WD EXPERIENCE? WayPoint will assist and guide you in the basic skills of 4WD driving • Rubbish comes out – place in strong plastic bags (do not and sustainable 4WD driving to suit the terrain in which we will travel bury, it will be dug up) however consider doing a 4WD course prior to the trip as some • Keep the camp clean and tidy advanced off road techniques will be required. • Burn or bury toilet paper • Keep dirty/soapy water away from natural water supplies HOW LONG DO WE DRIVE EACH DAY? • Conserve firewood No more than 300km per day. Most days are between 50-80km. We • Use of firearms and chainsaws is not permitted discuss the following day’s events around the campfire at night, or at • Abide by fireban regulations our morning briefing sessions before departure. We are normally on • Do not feed animals the road at 9.30am each morning and stop for lunch between 12pm- 1pm. We stop at all points of interest throughout the day and try to up • Every animal, plant and rock is protected camp around 3.30-4pm each day. • Aboriginal and European artefacts/sites are protected