Gunbarrel Highway

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesWiluna
FinishGreat Central Rd & Heather Hwy
DifficultyDifficulty 3.5/5
Suitable For4WD Motorbike 
Distance791.78 km
Minimum Days4
Average Speed53.1 km/hr
Travel Time14 hrs 54 mins
Page Updated: 18 Jan 2024

Description

You can pick up the Gunbarrel from either Wiluna in the west, or Giles (Warakurna Roadhouse) in the east and so it is usually done as an extension/beginning of a Canning Stock Route Trek Note, West McDonald Ranges Trek Note or The Tanami Track. However technically, the Gunbarrel Highway is the section to the east of Carnegie Homestead through to Yulara (via Jackie Junction and Docker River).

The full stretch is an isolated desert track of 1400km. In general, washaways, heavy corrugations, stone, sand and flood plains are all typical elements of the drive, but the track is graded occasionally by the Wiluna Shire Council from Wiluna through to 180km east of Carnegie. There are excellent bush camps, and many sites have bores with water.

At the western end of the trek, Wiluna is a town quite unlike any other in Australia. Other than the few people who service the passing 4WD explorers, the town is mostly aboriginal and there's just a few dusty buildings, a store, and a pub which is a far cry from the 1930s when this was a prospering gold mining town of 9000 people boasting the southern hemisphere's biggest mine.

At the eastern end of the trek, Giles is actually not a town at all but the homeplace of the Warakurna people and the location of a remote meteorological weather station, known as Giles. Visitors must stay at the Warakurna Roadhouse, where modern campground facilities, fuel and basic food supplies can be obtained as access into the aboriginal community is not allowed. Most people plan to time their visit to line up with either the morning or evening daily release of the weather balloon. See details within the Place listing.

Conditions vary greatly in this region, depending on how much rainfall has occurred in recent days and the volume of traffic and how long its been since the road was last graded. Please read these notes in conjunction with current road reports.

In general, washaways, heavy corrugations, stone, sand and flood plains are all typical elements of the terrain. The major trouble spots are around Mingkili Claypan and between the Heather Highway turnoff and Jackie Junction (extreme washaways). Travel along the "abandoned section" from Jackie Junction to Giles is no longer permitted. During the peak travelling season (late June - Oct), many people make the journey across the Gunbarrel Highway so diversion tracks around major obstacles will be in place and even the abandoned section should not be overgrown unless you are the first group of the season after rains to push through the spinifex.

How to Use this Trek Note

  • To download this information and the route file for offline use on a phone, tablet, headunit or laptop, go to the app store and purchase ExplorOz Traveller. This app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage and the EOTopo webpage.

TIP

ExplorOz Traveller now features the NEW EOTopo 2024 mapset!

History

The Gunbarrel Highway was the first road built as part of Australia's role in the weapons research facility called Woomera. The area of land designated between Woomera and 80 Mile Beach near Port Hedland was chosen as the most suitable area in the world for a rocket range, but it was an uninhabited desert waste-land in the most remote part of Australia.

This weapons research project did not just involve the launching of rockets into waste-land, but complex missile tracking instruments had to be placed in position throughout this vast region and so a massive ground survey was required to determine the earth's shape.

The first task was to construct a road running east-west across the centre of Australia to provide a major service access for the construction of all other linking roads. The Gunbarrel Highway was the first of the Len Beadell roads and so is a very historical journey for people taking the trip today.

Len Beadell, the surveyor for the project, admitted he was " a surveyor who liked to draw neat lines on maps", so he decided to site his roads in areas where long straight tracks could be built. It was Len himself, who light-heartedly named his road gang the "Gunbarrel Highway Construction Party". This was done for distance, fuel and maintenance efficiencies for both his construction team and future users. Which is good for us four wheel drivers because it has meant that with a bit of preparation and a good vehicle setup, there's a whole lot of outback tracks that although are no longer maintained, are still in good condition for travelling.

TrekID: 71

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP

Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.
Technically this is not a hard 4WD trip, but you must be very well prepared and experienced. We would not suggest that you embark on a trip across the Gunbarrel Highway as your first outback camping trip.

There are many bores with water them along this track and we strongly advise that you do not use this water unless there is an emergency. Please do not plan to use this water - carry all your own drinking and washing water. The impact of increased 4WD tourism on these historical areas needs to be considered to ensure that access for all remains. Note - to obtain water, you will need to carry a narrow water vessel (less than 14cm diameter) and about 45m of line! Some bores are very deep.

Permits

You will need to obtain 2 Transit Permits from 2 aboriginal land councils (one in NT and the other in WA) for this trek. These are transit permits and they cost nothing to obtain. The Great Central Road actually requires 2 sets of Transit Permits because there are Aboriginal Communities on both sides of the border (NT/WA) and each state has its own Aboriginal Lands office and issues its own permits. These can easily be obtained online:

Ngaanyatjarra Council

For people travelling through Aboriginal Land in the Central Reserves of Western Australia to, or from the NT border to Laverton, the permit is obtained online from the Ngaanyatjarra Council website www.Ngaanyatjarra.org.au Their contact email address is ngcouncil@ngaanyatjarra.org.au

Central Land Council (CLC)

For people travelling through Aboriginal Land in the Northern Territory to, or from the WA border to Yulara, you need to use the Central Land Council website www.clc.org.au to obtain your permit. Their contact email address is permits@clc.org.au
These permits together cover the area between Warbuton and Yulara, and so you must abide by the restrictions outlined in the permit whilst in this region. For the remainder of the trek, from Wiluna to Jackie Junction, you are on pastoral land.

Fuel Usage

OPAL unleaded fuel is now available at Warburton, Warakurna, and Docker River. OPAL ULP has similar properties to AvGas and is used to discourage sniffing.
DieselULPLPG
4cyl 89 litres *4cyl 119 litres *4cyl 158 litres
6cyl 121 litres *6cyl 153 litres *6cyl 139 litres
8cyl 121 litres8cyl 126 litres *
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Carnegie
Distance from Trek Mid Point 78.09km N
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C38.837.033.830.025.321.221.324.028.532.835.437.3
Mean Min. °C23.822.919.816.210.77.05.87.211.516.419.222.0
Mean Rain mm30.152.434.122.915.414.811.57.43.95.613.023.8
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Wiluna to Millbillillie
Driving: 10.88 km
Heading: 107°
Avg Speed: 55.37 km/hr
EST Time: 11:47
  • Drive south. for: 0.02 km time: 00:06
  • Turn left onto Thompson Street. for: 0.07 km time: 00:11
  • Turn right onto Wotton Street. for: 0.23 km time: 00:34
  • Turn left onto Wells Street. for: 10.55 km time: 10:56
Millbillillie to Yelma Stockyard Ruins
Driving: 144.16 km
Heading: 86°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 02:43:12
  • Drive east on Wongawol Road. for: 47.93 km time: 50:59
  • Turn left to stay on Wongawol Road. for: 96.23 km time: 01:52:13
Yelma Stockyard Ruins to Banjo Creek, Wongawol Rd
Driving: 14.77 km
Heading: 46°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 16:43
  • Drive northeast on Wongawol Road. for: 14.77 km time: 16:44
Banjo Creek, Wongawol Rd to Mingol Camp - Harry Johnson Water
Driving: 103.72 km
Heading: 44°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 01:57:25
  • Drive north on Wongawol Road. for: 43.71 km time: 49:35
  • Bear right. for: 0.87 km time: 00:51
  • Bear left. for: 0.78 km time: 00:46
  • Bear right onto Carnegie Road. for: 58.36 km time: 01:06:13
Mingol Camp - Harry Johnson Water to Carnegie
Driving: 67.77 km
Heading: 79°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 01:16:43
  • Drive northeast on Carnegie Road. for: 67.6 km time: 01:16:29
  • Continue. for: 0.17 km time: 00:14
Carnegie to Football Oval
Driving: 124.25 km
Heading: 67°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 02:20:39
  • Drive southwest. for: 0.17 km time: 00:14
  • Make a sharp right onto Gunbarrel Highway. for: 124.07 km time: 02:20:25
Football Oval to Mount William Lambert
Driving: 11.44 km
Heading: 81°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 12:57
  • Drive east on Gunbarrel Highway. for: 11.26 km time: 12:27
  • Turn left. for: 0.18 km time: 00:30
Mount William Lambert to Gunbarrel Hwy & David Carnegie Rd & Eagle Hwy
Driving: 15.78 km
Heading: 88°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 17:51
  • Drive southwest. for: 0.18 km time: 00:29
  • Turn left onto Gunbarrel Highway. for: 15.6 km time: 17:22
Gunbarrel Hwy & David Carnegie Rd & Eagle Hwy to Mangkili Claypan
Driving: 2.67 km
Heading: 108°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 03:01
  • Drive east on Gunbarrel Highway. for: 2.67 km time: 03:02
Mangkili Claypan to Geraldton Bore
Driving: 51.46 km
Heading: 58°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 58:15
  • Drive northeast on Gunbarrel Highway. for: 51.46 km time: 58:16
Geraldton Bore to Gunbarrel Hwy & Hunt Oil Rd
Driving: 0.3 km
Heading: 67°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 00:20
  • Drive east on Gunbarrel Highway. for: 0.3 km time: 00:20
Gunbarrel Hwy & Hunt Oil Rd to David Wynford Carnegie
Driving: 17.63 km
Heading: 90°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 19:57
  • Drive east on Gunbarrel Highway. for: 17.63 km time: 19:57
David Wynford Carnegie to Everard Junction
Driving: 14.07 km
Heading: 90°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 15:55
  • Drive east on Gunbarrel Highway. for: 14.07 km time: 15:56
Everard Junction to Mount Gordon
Driving: 7.68 km
Heading: 90°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 08:41
  • Drive east on Gunbarrel Highway. for: 7.68 km time: 08:42
Mount Gordon to Mount Everard
Driving: 0.69 km
Heading: 105°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 00:46
  • Drive east on Gunbarrel Highway. for: 0.69 km time: 00:47
Mount Everard to Mount Beadell
Driving: 47.49 km
Heading: 152°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 53:45
  • Drive east on Gunbarrel Highway. for: 47.49 km time: 53:46
Mount Beadell to Camp Beadell
Driving: 6.18 km
Heading: 104°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 06:59
  • Drive southeast on Gunbarrel Highway. for: 6.18 km time: 07:00
Camp Beadell to Notabilis Hill
Driving: 24.66 km
Heading: 115°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 27:55
  • Drive southeast on Gunbarrel Highway. for: 24.66 km time: 27:55
Notabilis Hill to Thryptomene Hill Bore
Driving: 5.06 km
Heading: 140°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 05:43
  • Drive southeast on Gunbarrel Highway. for: 5.06 km time: 05:44
Thryptomene Hill Bore to Len Beadell's Tree & Plaque
Driving: 24.96 km
Heading: 104°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 28:15
  • Drive southeast on Gunbarrel Highway. for: 24.96 km time: 28:15
Len Beadell's Tree & Plaque to Gunbarell Hwy & Heather Hwy
Driving: 10.75 km
Heading: 108°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 12:10
  • Drive east on Gunbarrel Highway. for: 10.75 km time: 12:10
Gunbarell Hwy & Heather Hwy to Tjirrkarli Junction (Heather Highway)
Driving: 37.65 km
Heading: 191°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 42:37
  • Drive east on Gunbarrel Highway. for: 0.02 km time: 00:00
  • Turn right onto Heather Highway. for: 37.63 km time: 42:37
Tjirrkarli Junction (Heather Highway) to Communications Tower
Driving: 4.19 km
Heading: 117°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 04:44
  • Head southeast on Heather Highway for: 4.19 km time: 04:45
Communications Tower to Great Central Rd & Heather Hwy
Driving: 43.57 km
Heading: 117°
Avg Speed: 53 km/hr
EST Time: 49:19
  • Head southeast on Heather Highway for: 43.57 km time: 49:19
Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

Travel the first of the "bomb roads" made by Len Beadell. Find and locate plaques, original bores and blaze trees. Wild camels, dingoes and birdlife; historic ruins and remote stations.

Facilities

Where to Stay

Please observe all current signage as situation can change without notice.

Services & Supplies

Supplies, medical facilities, some mechanical repairs, accommodation and a Police station is available at Warburton (not shown on this trek note) and is approximately 50kms south of Jackie Junction.

Wildflowers

Related Travel Journals

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