RoadAtlas
Canning Stock Route — Australia — Desert
Australia & Pacific

Canning Stock Route

Australia

Point-to-point
Wiluna Halls Creek

In short: Canning Stock Route is a 1,850+ km desert road trip in Australia, typically driven over 21 days including 3 contingency days, best in May–Sep. Highlights: Wiluna, Wells 5-15 sector, Wells 16-23 sector.

Distance
1,850+ km
Duration
21 days including 3 contingency days
Best Season
May–Sep
IconicExtreme4WD onlyDesertOff-road sectionsPermit requiredGuide recommended

A 21-day expedition template from Wiluna through the complete permitted Wells 5-51 corridor to Billiluna and Halls Creek. Exact camps and GPS positions must come from the issued vehicle permit and official information pack.

Practical notes
A current Yiwarra Kuju/CSR permit is required for every vehicle (https://permits.canningstockroute.net.au/) and authorizes only the formed track and adjacent permitted wells/camps in that issued permit; it does not authorize community entry or excluded cultural areas. Carry it in each vehicle and load the official permit-pack coordinates offline. Confirm every access station, Traditional Owner restriction, closure, fuel drop and supply. Use an expedition 4WD convoy with satellite/UHF/PLB, multiple spares, recovery/fire/waste equipment, calculated fuel/water and at least three unused contingency days. Never create a campsite.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Wiluna: permits, vehicle inspection and expedition packing

Canning-Gunbarrel Discovery Centre · Wiluna Caravan Park camp kitchen

Day 2Wiluna to permit-approved camp near Wells 1-5

Wells 1-5 sector · Wiluna-packed expedition rations

Day 3Well 5 to permit-approved camp near Well 9 (Palatji)

Well 9 / Palatji sector · Well 9 camp ration

Day 4Well 9 to permit-approved camp near Wells 12-15

Wells 12-15 sector · Well 15 sector camp ration

Day 5Wells 15-18 permitted corridor

Wells 15-18 sector · Well 18 sector camp ration

Day 6Wells 18-23 permitted corridor

Well 23 / Kalypa sector · Well 23 sector camp ration

Day 7Well 23 to Georgia Bore / Wells 24-26 sector

Georgia Bore supply check · Georgia Bore ration and water check

Day 8Wells 26-30 permitted corridor

Wells 26-30 sector · Well 30 sector camp ration

Day 9Wells 30-33 to Kunawarritji

Kunawarritji / Well 33 logistics stop · Kunawarritji Community Store supplies

Day 10Contingency and vehicle-maintenance day at the approved Well 33 sector camp

Expedition contingency day · Contingency-day expedition ration

Day 11Wells 33-36 permitted corridor

Wells 33-36 sector · Well 36 sector camp ration

Day 12Wells 36-39 permitted corridor

Wells 36-39 sector · Well 39 sector camp ration

Day 13Wells 39-42 permitted corridor

Wells 39-42 sector · Well 42 sector camp ration

Day 14Wells 42-46 permitted corridor

Wells 42-46 sector · Well 46 sector camp ration

Day 15Wells 46-49 permitted corridor

Wells 46-49 sector · Well 49 sector camp ration

Day 16Wells 49-51 and Billiluna exit

Well 51 to Billiluna exit · Billiluna Store supplies

Day 17Billiluna to Halls Creek

Halls Creek arrival and vehicle check · Kimberley Hotel restaurant

Day 18Optional Wolfe Creek Crater side trip from Halls Creek

Wolfe Creek Crater · Halls Creek packed side-trip meal

Day 19Halls Creek recovery and contingency day

Mechanical and crew recovery · Confirmed Halls Creek lodging meal

Day 20Unused expedition contingency day

Weather and access contingency · Contingency food reserve

Day 21Unused expedition contingency day

Emergency schedule margin · Final emergency schedule ration

Stops along the route

Wiluna — Departure — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Departure
Wiluna
Complete permits and expedition preparation.
Kunawarritji / Well 33 — City — Canning Stock Route — Australia
City
Kunawarritji / Well 33
Pre-arranged fuel and supplies only; community access is restricted.
Well 51 and Billiluna — City — Canning Stock Route — Australia
City
Well 51 and Billiluna
Exit through the authorized northern access after Well 51.
Halls Creek — Arrival — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Arrival
Halls Creek
Recover and service the vehicle after the expedition.

Things to Do

Wells 5-15 sector — Landmark — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Landmark
Wells 5-15 sector
Use only the formed track and adjacent camps authorized by the issued permit.
Wells 16-23 sector — Landmark — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Landmark
Wells 16-23 sector
Confirm that every vehicle permit covers this zone.
Georgia Bore / Wells 24-32 — Landmark — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Landmark
Georgia Bore / Wells 24-32
Follow the official offline coordinates and current water advice.
Wells 34-49 sector — Landmark — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Landmark
Wells 34-49 sector
Continue through the complete northern permitted corridor.
Canning-Gunbarrel Discovery Centre — Route orientation — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Route orientation
Canning-Gunbarrel Discovery Centre
Use the official local centre to confirm current access contacts and route history before departure.
Wells 1-5 sector — Expedition leg — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Expedition leg
Wells 1-5 sector
Use the issued permit-pack GPS position and an existing adjacent campsite only.
Show 19 more
Well 9 / Palatji sector — Expedition leg — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Expedition leg
Well 9 / Palatji sector
Camp only where the current permit and station access allow; verify Glen-Ayle access separately if used.
Wells 12-15 sector — Expedition leg — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Expedition leg
Wells 12-15 sector
Follow only the formed track and official offline coordinates; excluded side tracks remain closed.
Wells 15-18 sector — Expedition leg — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Expedition leg
Wells 15-18 sector
Use an existing permit-approved adjacent camp and leave cultural material untouched.
Well 23 / Kalypa sector — Expedition leg — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Expedition leg
Well 23 / Kalypa sector
Confirm the current permit covers this Martu section and do not enter excluded Durba Hills or other closed areas.
Georgia Bore supply check — Expedition logistics — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Expedition logistics
Georgia Bore supply check
Use the exact official coordinate and current water advice; never treat bore water as safe without current confirmation and treatment.
Wells 26-30 sector — Expedition leg — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Expedition leg
Wells 26-30 sector
Select the existing adjacent camp recorded in the approved trip plan and keep all waste contained.
Kunawarritji / Well 33 logistics stop — Fuel and resupply — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Fuel and resupply
Kunawarritji / Well 33 logistics stop
Refuel only by prior arrangement and respect all community-entry restrictions.
Expedition contingency day — Recovery margin — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Recovery margin
Expedition contingency day
Hold this day unused for weather, mechanical work or permit-directed delay.
Wells 33-36 sector — Expedition leg — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Expedition leg
Wells 33-36 sector
Continue north on formed track to an existing permit-approved adjacent camp.
Wells 36-39 sector — Expedition leg — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Expedition leg
Wells 36-39 sector
Verify this zone appears on every vehicle permit before entering it.
Wells 39-42 sector — Expedition leg — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Expedition leg
Wells 39-42 sector
Use only the permit-pack coordinates and existing camps; surrounding Ngurrara Country is not generally open.
Wells 42-46 sector — Expedition leg — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Expedition leg
Wells 42-46 sector
Stay on the formed route and obey ranger or Traditional Owner directions.
Wells 46-49 sector — Expedition leg — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Expedition leg
Wells 46-49 sector
Use the exact approved camp from the trip plan; do not create a pullout or ridge camp.
Well 51 to Billiluna exit — Northern CSR completion — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Northern CSR completion
Well 51 to Billiluna exit
Complete the northern wells before exiting via the authorized Billiluna access; do not jump from Well 33.
Halls Creek arrival and vehicle check — Expedition finish — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Expedition finish
Halls Creek arrival and vehicle check
Use this as the direct post-CSR recovery leg.
Wolfe Creek Crater — Optional 4WD park trip — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Optional 4WD park trip
Wolfe Creek Crater
Attempt only as a separate return trip after checking the Tanami Road, park access, fuel and daylight; Purnululu is not part of this route.
Mechanical and crew recovery — Contingency — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Contingency
Mechanical and crew recovery
Keep this day free for repairs, rest or delays rather than adding an off-route attraction.
Weather and access contingency — Contingency — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Contingency
Weather and access contingency
Retain the day for closures, cultural access changes or slow track conditions.
Emergency schedule margin — Contingency — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Contingency
Emergency schedule margin
Do not pre-book an attraction into the final safety margin.

Where to Eat

Wiluna Caravan Park camp kitchen — Self-catering — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Self-catering
Wiluna Caravan Park camp kitchen
Buy and pack all remote provisions; do not assume food service beyond planned supply points.
Kunawarritji Community Store supplies — Remote store supplies — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Remote store supplies
Kunawarritji Community Store supplies
Confirm access, opening and fuel order before the expedition; this is not a guaranteed restaurant.
Billiluna Store supplies — Remote store supplies — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Remote store supplies
Billiluna Store supplies
Confirm permission, fuel and opening before relying on the store; retain emergency provisions.
Kimberley Hotel restaurant — Hotel dining — Canning Stock Route — Australia
Hotel dining
Kimberley Hotel restaurant
Reconfirm current service and celebrate only after the vehicle and crew are safely in Halls Creek.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Canning Stock Route drive?

The Canning Stock Route covers 1,850+ km from start to finish.

How long does the Canning Stock Route take to drive?

Most travellers spend 21 days including 3 contingency days on the Canning Stock Route, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Canning Stock Route?

The recommended season for the Canning Stock Route is May–Sep.

Where does the Canning Stock Route start and end?

The Canning Stock Route runs from Wiluna to Halls Creek.

What are the main stops on the Canning Stock Route?

The Canning Stock Route passes through Wiluna, Wells 5-15 sector, Wells 16-23 sector.

How difficult is the Canning Stock Route to drive?

The Canning Stock Route is rated extreme and is best handled with 4wd only.

Do I need a 4WD for the Canning Stock Route?

Yes — the Canning Stock Route includes off-road or rough sections that require 4wd only.

Do I need a permit or border paperwork for the Canning Stock Route?

Yes — the Canning Stock Route requires permits, fees, or border paperwork. Plan ahead: A current Yiwarra Kuju/CSR permit is required for every vehicle (https://permits.canningstockroute.net.au/) and authorizes only the formed track and adjacent permitted wells/camps in that issued permit; it does not authorize community entry or excluded cultural areas. Carry it in each vehicle and load the official permit-pack coordinates offline. Confirm every access station, Traditional Owner restriction, closure, fuel drop and supply. Use an expedition 4WD convoy with satellite/UHF/PLB, multiple spares, recovery/fire/waste equipment, calculated fuel/water and at least three unused contingency days. Never create a campsite.

Is the Canning Stock Route safe to drive?

A current Yiwarra Kuju/CSR permit is required for every vehicle (https://permits.canningstockroute.net.au/) and authorizes only the formed track and adjacent permitted wells/camps in that issued permit; it does not authorize community entry or excluded cultural areas. Carry it in each vehicle and load the official permit-pack coordinates offline. Confirm every access station, Traditional Owner restriction, closure, fuel drop and supply. Use an expedition 4WD convoy with satellite/UHF/PLB, multiple spares, recovery/fire/waste equipment, calculated fuel/water and at least three unused contingency days. Never create a campsite.

What scenic tier is the Canning Stock Route?

The Canning Stock Route is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.