 The Canning Stock Route WA
The Canning Stock Route is one of the most remote and isolated four wheel drive tracks in the world and travellers should be extremely well prepared before undertaking this trek.
Preparing for the journey: The distance from Wiluna to Halls Creek is 1820 kilometres, but you will no doubt exceed that distance, particularly if you wish to visit each well, or perhaps you may need to back track on occasions to ascertain that you are on the correct route.
The Royal Automobile Club (RAC) on its survey covered some two thousand two hundred kilometres mapping the stock route and using two Toyota Landcruisers, obtained fuel consumption figures of seven miles per gallon for the petrol vehicle and 12 miles per gallon for the diesel vehicle.
There are obviously no repair facilities or for that matter, no habitation of any kind between Glenayle and Balgo, therefore you are entirely on your own. The station people do not have the staff or equipment to extricate people from the stock route, who find themselves in trouble.
Planes cannot land in the area except at an air strip thirty-five kilometres north of Well 23, but parts could be dropped in an emergency. This can be arranged through Bill Shepherd of Capricorn Roadhouse, Newman 08 9175 1535.
Emergency Kits: If for some reason the trip has to be aborted, there are two tracks back to Great Northern Highway. The Talawanna Track leads from just south of Well 23 to Balfour Downs Station and on to Newman. The Kidson Track leads from Well 35 to Port Hedland. Well 23 is three hundred and one kilometres north of the Glenyale turn off (Well nine) and Well 35 is ninety-nine kilometres north of Well 23 and six hundred and two kilometres south of Balgo.
Fuel: To cover all contingencies, six cylinder petrol engined vehicles will require four, fourty-four gallon drums of fuel, plus a tank full for the journey from Wiluna to Halls Creek. Diesel powered vehicles would require half that amount.
It is unlikely that a vehicle carrying four full drums, plus ancillary equipment would be able to cross the sand dunes, so arrangements should be made to have fuel dropped in advance at Well 23. This can be arranged through Bill Shepherd of Capricorn Roadhouse, Newman, Telephone 08 9175 1535.
In the event of getting bogged, it may be necessary to unload the fuel and whilst it is fairly simple to unload a "44", it is not always possible to reload it. To overcome this problem, smaller containers are advantageous. There is also the danger that a "44" could spring a leak, resulting in a considerable loss of valuable fuel. S maller containers reduce this risk.
The amount of fuel suggested may seem excessive, but bear in mind that many wells are located off the track and on occasions, exploratory work may be required to ascertain the correct route. RAC on its survey, covered two thousand two hundred kilometres between Wiluna and Halls Creek even though the shortest distance is one thousand eight hundred and twenty kilometres.
Encountered screens and fire precautions: One of the major problems likely to be encouraged on the stock route are fires or overheating of the engine caused through spinifex.
When in seed, this plant sends up stalks about as high as the bonnet and the heads contain husks similar to wild oats. The husk get sucked into the radiator and the stems collect underneath the vehicle, especially around the muffler and have a tendency to smoulder, then ignite.
Conditions and terrain: Once out of the pastoral areas, there is no road but simply wheel tracks which have formed over the last few years.
Difficulties occur in following the track where, spinifex fires have been through, rain has caused heavy regrowth or tracks diverge. In situations where the track is difficult to follow, get out and walk around. It is easier to pick it up on foot. If a sand ridge is visible ahead, you will be able to find the vehicle crossing point but be prepared to drive a few kilometres east or west to find it.
Where the tracks diverge, look to see which one is most used.
All types of terrain will be encountered in various places, but by far the majority consists of spinifex plains, broken by sand ridges, these ridges run from east to west, consequently the stock route runs across the grain of the country and there is no avoiding the dunes.
Temperatures: During the travelling season on the stock route (April to September inclusive), day time temperatures are pleasantly mild, but at sundown a rapid change takes place and zero and sub zero temperatures will be experienced most nights.
Supplementary Maps: Other maps likely to be of most value are the geological 1:250,000 series, produced by mines department or 1:250,000 series military maps produced by the Lands Department, Cathedral Avenue, Perth. Telephone 08 9323 1222.
It may also be useful to obtain the 1:250,000 Geodetic benchmark overlays. These will pinpoint the exact location of benchmarks on the Mines or Land Department's Maps, so that when you locate a benchmark, you will know exactly where you are. There are numerous benchmarks located along the track and they have been tagged with red marker tape. The Geodetic Branch of Lands Department is located at 8 Parliament Place, West Perth. Telephone (09) 323 1228.
Permits: Permission to pass through the lands of the Gregory Lakes Community and Balgo Hills Community should be obtained from Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority, 17 Emerald Terrace, West Perth 6005. Telephone 08 9322 7044.
Perth - Wiluna 881 kilometres Wiluna - Balgo 1591 kilometres Balgo - Halls Creek 229 kilometres
Warning: RAC definitely does not recommend the use of the stock route, but has produced the map "Canning Stock Route" in an effort to avert difficulties for those who have decided to travel the route anyway.
We trust the guidelines will be taken very seriously, because whilst there have been no misfortunes to date, we feel that there will be tendency for travellers to underestimate the degree of difficulty with increased usage.
Remember that problems can occur for even the best prepared expeditions and before you begin, consider the cost of a rescue party.
All information compiled from the RAC "Canning Stock Route" map. Cost approximately AUD10.00.
IMPORTANT: Please read this Press Release regarding Travelling the Canning Stock Route by TRACK CARE WA INC. You will require Adobe Acrobat to view.
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