Canning Stock Route Expedition

After breakfast this morning we depart Broome along the Northern Highway to Fitzroy Crossing, where we'll stop for lunch. This afternoon we continue east to our first campsite near Halls Creek. Your crew will help you get familiarised with all the camping equipment and prepare a sumptuous dinner under the stars.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Lamboo

Today we turn off down the Tanami Road before reaching the official start of the Canning Stock Route at Billiluna. From here we pass Bloodwood Bore, Well 51 and Well 49 - known as the 'Crystal Well" because of its reliable drinking water. Our first night on the stock route will be nearby at Canning's 303 Marker.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Canning's 303 Marker

After packing up camp we trek south down to Breaden Pool and Godfrey's tank. Both areas gained their names from two members of David Carnegie's exploration party in 1896. As Carnegie's party searched the landscape for water, one of the party members, Godfrey Massie, found a huge natural stone catchment that was full, hence the name 'Godfrey's tank'. Joe Breaden, another member of the Carnegie party, also found water in a lower area and it was named 'Breaden Pool'. Here we take time to explore the wonderful natural features of these waterholes before continuing further south down the Canning. We stop off briefly at Wells 48 and 47 before tackling the first of many large sand dunes common along the Stock Route. We arrive at Well 46 later this afternoon and set up camp for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Well 46

Today we tackle the Great Sandy Desert heading to an area known as Gravity Lakes. We briefly stop off at Well 44 before arriving at Well 43 - traditionally known as Billowaggi. A drive over the Guli Lake System will get us to our camping spot just north of the Helena Springs track. Set up camp amongst the gum trees and enjoy another magnificent evening under the desert stars.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Well 42

Our first stop this morning is at Well 41, also called 'Tiru' by traditional owners.

The area surrounding 'Tiru' had better than average soil which, in turn, provided very good feed for the mobs of cattle that were driven down the track. Well 40 has some fascinating history regarding a fellow called Michael Tobin who was part of the 1906 survey expedition.

After some morning tea we trek across Tobin Lake to arrive at Well 39, home to hundreds of budgerigars that thrive on the surface water provided by the well, which is now in ruins. We then arrive at Wardabunni Rockhole later this afternoon, which is also the location of Well 38. This well was created by members of Canning's party blasting a hole in the rocky creek bed in order to secure a reliable source of water. Water was abundant but it proved difficult to persuade cattle to drink at the site, however the site is home to lovely trees and abundant birdlife so is a very pleasant area to spend the sixth night of our expedition.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Well 38

After packing up camp our first stop today is Well 37. The area has a fascinating history which began in 1910 with the first cattle drive down the stock route. The 150 or so bullocks were being driven by George Shoesmith, James Thompson, Fred Terone and an Aborigine called 'Chinaman'.

After Fred Terone headed back to Halls Creek due to illness, the remaining men pushed on to Well 37 where they were later found dead under mysterious circumstances. Their graves have been preserved and are in close proximity to the well.After some morning tea our journey continues south to Well 36 where you'll learn about Eileen and George Lanagan. Arrive at Well 33, located on the outskirts of the remote Kunawarritji Aboriginal Community, late afternoon and set up camp. Well 33 has a large water tank and windmill providing plenty of fresh water, so it's a good spot to catch up on some washing.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Well 33

The Kunawarritji Aboriginal Community is one of the most remote communities in Australia. This morning we visit the community store before meeting our re-supply truck, which has come down from Broome. We stock up on diesel and food before continuing further south down to Wells 32 (Mallowa), 31 (Wullowla) and 30 (Duna Jinnda). After enjoying some lunch under the shady trees surrounding Well 30 we trek on to Thring Rock, named by Larry Wells in 1896 after members of John McDouall Stuart's 1862 expedition across Australia. Thring Rock is an impressive sandstone outcrop and after a short climb to the lookout this afternoon we are provided with exceptional views of the surrounding countryside.

Tonight we set up camp at the base of Thring Rock.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast we pack up camp and move further down the Stock Route. After traversing a number of sand dunes we arrive at Well 27 where we enjoy a short break and some morning tea. We continue to Well 26 which has recently been fully reconstructed and provides excellent drinking water. We take the opportunity to replenish our convoy's water tanks before pushing on to Well 25 for lunch under the shade of some beautiful Desert Oak trees.



Later this afternoon we arrive at Well 24, located just past the intersection of the Talawana Track and this is where we set up camp and get ready for another superb sunset.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This morning we pass by the Capricorn Roadhouse fuel dump. This section of the track is also part of the Talawana Track and if followed to the west for 450kms will take you to Newman. Before fuel was available at Kunawarritji, anyone travelling the Canning Stock Route would have to pre-organise a 'fuel drop' through the Capricorn Roadhouse, located in Newman. Fuel would be carted out in 44 gallon drums and dropped off with your name written on top of each drum, a practice some still prefer today.

We arrive at Georgia Bore for a stop and a look around. Georgia Bore is not one of the traditional wells sunk by Canning, but a bore well which was drilled and equipped by CRA for use by their survey crews in the 1970's.

This afternoon we trek on towards Lake Disappointment, an ephemeral salt lake named by Frank Hann in 1897. After following the direction of a number of creek beds, Hann was expecting to find a large fresh water lake. He instead came across a large dry salt lake, hence the name Lake Disappointment.

This afternoon we set up camp on the banks of Lake Disappointment. Watch the spectacular panorama come alive as the sun sets.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breaking camp this morning we follow the western edge of Lake Disappointment to Savory Creek. This section of the lake is likely to have a good cover of water if there has been recent rainfall. Getting across the Savory Creek can be difficult after rain so we may need to travel further west to avoid the muddy creek bed.



Continuing along the western edge of Lake Disappointment we pass by Well 19 and Onegunyah Rockhole before arriving at one of the most scenic parts of the entire stock route - Durba Springs (Jilikuru). We'll camp here for two nights to get the most out of this truly magnificent area.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Durba Springs was always a popular spot for drovers to rest up for a few days while driving cattle down from the east Kimberley. The area, traditionally called 'Jilikuru' by the Martu people, is also home to a number of distinctive Western Desert Aboriginal rock art sites. This morning we enjoy a series of walks around the Durba Hills, taking in some of these art sites. The afternoon can be spent at your leisure. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today we get an early start and continue south down to Well 16. Here you'll learn of the area's torturous history before moving on to Well 15 and a lookout where we stop for morning tea. Next it's on to Wells 14 and 13 before reaching Well 12 which, in recent years, has been fully restored and offers excellent drinking water. After replenishing our water supplies we continue on to McConkey Hill near Well 10 where we camp for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: McConkey Hill

This morning we depart our camp spot and trek south to Well 9, also known as Weld Springs. This is where Glen-Ayle Station begins, evident by the cattle yards and infrastructure. It's also where John Forrest, the first premier of Western Australia, was forced to build a small fort in 1874. It's here that we deviate from the official Canning Stock Route and travel through Glen-Ayle Station and south to Wiluna. We arrive in Wiluna mid-afternoon to refuel before continuing back to the stock route and setting up camp at Well 1.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After packing up camp for the last time we travel northwards to meet up with the Great Northern Highway and arrive into Newman early this afternoon. We check in to the Seasons Hotel for the final night of our expedition. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent at your leisure before re-grouping for a final celebratory dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After our final breakfast together you'll be transferred to the Newman Airport for your included QANTAS flight down to Perth. You're booked on flight QF1093 Newman to Perth departing at 09:35am arriving into Perth 11:25am.

Meals: Breakfast