Brisbane to Wiluna Thoughts

[hux]

Folks,

Looking on the fastest/easiest way to get from Brisbane to Wiluna (the start of the Canning Stock Route).

If you;ve done it I would love to hear how you travelled there and the time it took and any recommendation on camping spots on the way.

I would love to go across the Simpon again but its such a great place I would not bea able to rush through there and would prefer to not be tortued by all those great camping spots.

So far have considered across and down through Coober Pedy and up to Yulara and the Great Central Hwy and similarly the Plenty through Alice and then Yulara etc.

Too many alternatives I think.

yeah mate, take the plenty then head here to yulara ( let me know when ya comin, i'll get the beer cold) then take the central hwy..
if ya get time, there are some bloody fantastic side tracks ( eg boggy hole track) that you'll bloody love!!!
thats just my opinion, and like ya said, there are too many choices!
across from glendambo is also good and worth a look.

Folks,

Looking on the fastest/easiest way to get from Brisbane to Wiluna (the start of the Canning Stock Route).



Charter a plane???? :P

Why not start at the top and work your way down?

[hux]

Charter a plane???? :P

Why not start at the top and work your way down?


Yeah maybe a Hercules would get the 80 there.

Nah bottom up for us....we can finish with some days at Broome etc. The route home from WA on the bitumen is quite nice (except the Barclay Hwy that is). You get places like Kununarra, Victoria River NP, Mataranka Springs etc before going across to the Isa and down.

[hux]

yeah mate, take the plenty then head here to yulara ( let me know when ya comin, i'll get the beer cold) then take the central hwy..
if ya get time, there are some bloody fantastic side tracks ( eg boggy hole track) that you'll bloody love!!!
thats just my opinion, and like ya said, there are too many choices!
across from glendambo is also good and worth a look.


Thanks Croozer....always keen for cold beer myself ;D
I need my maps here (I'm away with work at the moment). Not sure about Glendambo....where is that?

2 years ago we did Yulara to Giles and down to Surveyor-Generals and back to Mulga Park etc.....fantastic country....I see the need to spend a lot more time in Central Aus when I can finally afford to take the time.

The CSR is a desire to see it before some idiot decides its too dangerous to let mere mortals see it.

We are planning on taking the Gunbarrel to Wiluna from Warburton and stay at Mungali Claypan. Shame its so far its a major effort just to get there to do the trip and we are trying to keep it down to 7 days Bris to Wiluna.

Hux

[Baldeagle]

G'day Hux. I've travelled through all that country many times over the years and my suggestion would be be from Yulara to Warakurna (Giles Met Station) and then to Wiluna via the original ('abandoned') Gunbarrel Hwy - you'll need permits. It's a very interesting trip but there are many many kms of fierce corrugations.
Another just as interesting alternative is along the Gunbarrel to Geraldton Bore, south down the Hunt Oil Rd to the Great Central Rd, west to the David Carnegie Rd turn-off, north up the David Carnegie Rd to the Gunbarrel, then west to Wiluna.
If you've got time, also take up Croozer's suggestion and travel down the Finke track - great trip. Good luck.

[hux]

Thanks BE,

My main concern is getting from Bris to Wiluna however looks like there is only a couple of ways to skin that cat so will stick with our thoughts of using the Plenty.

We have done the Simpson to Finke and up the Gahn.

We tossed up doing the old part of the GB from Giles (its pretty country for sure) but I think I might leave that as a separate trip and include Gary Junction and a few other tracks in an exploration of that area.


Its the old catch for people on the eastern seaboard and a limited amount of leave. Trying to get to your jump off point without killing yourself and feeling wasted but maximising your time on the major goal. We are aiming at @ 18 days on the CSR (and surroundings).

Cheers

Hux

hux, glendambo is sth of coober pedy on the stuart..
and no worries mate, the beer'll be cold ;D

[Baldeagle]

Good onya Hux - I know exactly what you mean re. time. I think you'll find the CSR a great trip and it looks like they might have copped a bit of rain in the southern section from the cyclone which means that if you're leaving soon the wildflowers could be pretty spectacular. The whole trip is full of interest but particular highlights include Killagurra Gorge, Durba Springs, the Breaden Hills (including Godfreys Tank - a relatively simple, but worthwhile, walk from the track into Breaden Hills), the Calvert Range to the east, Mujingerra Cave ( beware - snakes), and the Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater north of Bililuna, etc etc etc. By the way, the Breaden Hills are sometimes called the Windy Hills - not a good camping spot!!! The best publication, by far, on the CSR is by Eric and Ronelle Gard - The Canning Stock Route - almost essential reading before you set off and during your travels. Get back to me if you need more info.

[hux]

Baldy :-)

Thanks very much for the tips. I need to find that book. I have read the Australian Geographic book which is not bad however the Gards book does seem to be the acknowledged authority.

Hux

[ozhumvee]

Hux
Due to the amount of rain that has been over there you should think very seriously about a contingency plan going nth to south as the bottom end is quite often too wet to travel early in the season. If the bottom end is too wet the properties in question will close the access tracks through their land to prevent track damage.
The year we came down (92) the bottom end below Durba was really wet, we had to exit out through well 9 and GlenAyle to the gunbarrel.
Another point to consider is that Cunyu station is apparently also stopping access to vehicles towing trailers due to track damage by vehicles towing.
As far as you route there and back, western Qld to Boulia, Plenty Hwy, Yulara, GCR to Giles/Warakuna, Warburton, north to Gunbarrel, Carnegie then Wiluna. The GCR is pretty good as a rule, the biggest hazard is the tourist wankers in their 4wd's travelling too fast and showering oncoming vehicles with rocks. They usually travel in groups, don't allow enough time for the trip and have to drive like loonies to keep to impossible timetables.
The Gunbarrel from Heather hwy junction to Carnegie will be the roughest road you will ever travel on so allow the time to travel at a safe (slow) speed.
The CSR is the best trip we have ever done, allow the time to do it and be prepared to give Broome the flick and spend the time on it rather than the coast.
As has been said the Gardes book on the CSR is THE one to read before you go and take it with you, Eric can also provide up to date info just before you leave as to track conditions if you give hime a ring.

[Baldeagle]

G'day again Hux
Good advice from Ozhumvee. If you're pushed for time and want to maximise your time spent on the CSR other alternatives include.........
GCR to Tjukayirla Roadhouse then up the David Carnegie Rd to Mungili Claypan on the Gunbarrel, then to Wiluna via Carnegie - Empress Springs certainly worth a look, especially if you know a bit about David Carnegie's exploration of this area - you need to climb down into the cave (ladder provided) and then crawl down a tunnel to the spring (torch needed);

GCR to Cosmo Newberry and then north and west to the Gunbarrel via Prentie Downs and Windidda Stations;

GCR to Leonora, then north to Wiluna via the Goldfields Hwy - this would certainly be the quickest route to Wiluna - excellent road all the way.

As far as rain is concerned, try ringing the Weather Bureau in Perth first (0892632222), to see how much rain they got in Wiluna and Cunyu Station and also perhaps at Bililuna Community at the northern end of the CSR.
Then try Cunyu Station (0899812934) and the Police Station in Wiluna (sorry, don't have the number)
Then try Eric or Ronelle Gard (0893412524)

[ozhumvee]

I also meant to add that the 'abandoned' sec tion of the gunbarrel is actually a better road than either the GCR or the rest of the gunbarrel, pretty smooth, a few corrugated bits but nothing really bad, slower as it is much narrower (two wheel tracks in places) but an interesting and quite pretty drive through scenic country. There are a few things to see along the way especially the eastern end alongside the Rawlinson's, rockholes, Lenny's trees. The bit that heads north from the GCR at the western end is actually a very good, graded road as it goes to communities.