Destinations > Canning Stock Route, Part 1

FUEL & SUPPLIES
The Canning is like no other place when it comes down to the need to carry fuel and water. Once you leave Wiluna there are no roadhouses until you reach either Halls Creek or Tilmouth Well on the Tanami Road over 2000km away and 20 plus days distant. Don't fool yourself about fuel consumption - the consequences are dire. If you take all the diversions to the scenic points and visit each of the wells then the following fuel requirements should be mandatory.

*Straight 6 and V8 petrol powered 4WDs need to be able to carry 350 litres.

*4 cylinder and V6 petrol engines will need 300 litres of unleaded.

*Diesels should carry at least 250 litres of fuel.

These figures are based on picking up 200 litres of fuel at Well 23 and are the quantities you should carry to Well 23 and from Well 23.

Fuel drops at Well 23 are arranged by contacting the Capricorn Roadhouse in Newman on (08) 9175 1535 and must be ordered and paid for six weeks in advance of your trip. It is delivered in 200 litre drums so you need to have the means of transferring the fuel from the drum into your fuel tank/jerry cans. Electric or rotary pumps are best for this.

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Fuel is also available from the aboriginal community at Well 33 known as Kunawarritji, ph (08) 9176 9040, (some very basic supplies and showers are also available here). Fuel needs to be ordered at least two weeks in advance but can be unreliable and it is closed on public holidays, Sunday and Saturday after 12 noon.

As for water, allow at least 80 litres per couple, this needs to include all of your drinking, washing and cooking. It is based on the fact that you should be able to replenish your water on a regular basis along the route from the wells. We allow five days of travel without being able to collect fresh quantities. You will become quite adept at showering in just 2 litres of water.

WHEN TO GO
This is inhospitable country, traversing nearly 2000km of desert lands where no human habitation as we know it exists. The reason for this lack of population is the climate. In the period from September through to May the land bakes under a relentless heat; our own editor and his mate Ian Glover experienced the heat of the Great Sandy Desert in September and found it unbelievable. The best time to travel the Canning is in the dead of winter, June through to August. During a recent trip in July I experienced minus 5 degrees near Well 4 and temperatures of 35 degrees for days on end from Well 33 onwards. Rain at this time should be non existent but the wind is ever present and can be very cold before you reach the Tropic of Capricorn.

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