Canning Stock Route

Canning Stock Route

CSR

Route of Canning Stock Route relative to Kumpupintil Lake
Route relative to Kumpupintil Lake
Map showing location of Canning Stock Route
The Canning Stock Route runs from Halls Creek in the Kimberley region of Western Australia to Wiluna.
Coordinates
General information
TypeTrack
Length1,850 km (1,150 mi)
Opened1910
Major junctions
north east end Great Northern Highway (National Highway 1), Halls Creek
 
south west endGoldfields Highway, Wiluna
Location(s)
viaBilliluna (Mindibungu), Kunawarritji, Kutkabubba
Restrictions
General
  • Not maintained.
  • Requires substantial planning.
  • Requires convoy of well-equipped four-wheel-drive vehicles.
  • Practical during cool season only.
PermitsPermits required prior to travel. Virtually all of the Canning Stock Route traverses native title lands.[2]
Fuel supply
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The Canning Stock Route is a track that runs from Halls Creek in the Kimberley region of Western Australia to Wiluna in the mid-west region. With a total distance of around 1,850 km (1,150 mi) it is claimed to be the longest historic stock route in the world.

A 1928 Royal Commission into the price of beef in Western Australia led to the repair of the wells and the re-opening of the stock route. Around 20 droves took place between 1931 and 1959 when the final droving run was completed.

The Canning Stock Route is now a popular but challenging four-wheel drive trek typically taking 10 to 20 days to complete. A few adventurers have traversed the track on foot, by bicycle, motorcycle and in two-wheel drive vehicles.

There are two small settlements on the track where fuel and other supplies may be obtained; Kunawarritji, approximately 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) north of Wiluna, and Billiluna, 173 kilometres (107 mi) south of Halls Creek.

In March 2020, the route was closed to tourists due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was reopened on 14 June 2022.[1]

  1. ^ a b Kuju Wangka (14 June 2022). "RE: Update on Kuju Wangka Permit (Canning Stock Route)" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  2. ^ "Canning Stock Route Visitor Information". 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2019.