The Canning Stock Route - Perth to Halls Creek
(optional extra - Kimberley to Broome/Darwin)
The
Canning Stock Route was only rediscovered in the 70s and is the
longest and most remote stock route in the world.
Running from the goldfields of W.A. through to the Kimberley
it is over 1,800kms of 4WD track that is one of the last great
adventures in Australia.
It has become legendary for its isolation, beauty and the challenging
logistics required to ensure a safe trip.
You’ll explore a wide range of constantly changing scenery.
Huge Spinifex plains, countless red sand dunes, the plateaus and
escarpments of the Breaden Hills, beautiful river red gums surrounding
unexpected pools, lake beds of shimmering white salt crystals
and ancient rock art many thousands of years old in caves and
on sandstone walls. By day the sky is a deeper blue than you’ve
ever seen. At night the Milky Way shines from horizon to horizon
through a dense blackness untainted by human pollution. We cross
four deserts - the Gibson, Great Sandy, Little Sandy & the
Tanami.
There are remote springs, gorges, oak forests and the historic
wells that provide life-giving water for the trip. The journey
is simply spectacular.
The
trip is more of an expedition than a tour and that's part of its
attraction. It's a tough track on the vehicles and so breakages
on the support vehicles and unexpected events can happen. Ingenuity
and experience help to overcome these things so that you can continue
on your way.
Evenings are spent around the campfire resting and excitedly talking
about the day's travels.
Campsites and facilities are basic but a camp kitchen keeps you
well fed with all meals provided.
Riding
the Canning Stock Route (CSR) on a motorbike is a special experience
that very few people in the world have been privileged to enjoy.
By riding as part of the tour group you benefit from the detailed
preparation and expertise of people that have travelled the route
many times.
July and August are the best times to ride the CSR due to the
lower daytime temperatures and water availability.
The riding on some days is easy and we might cover 300km. On
others it’s harder and we may only travel 90km. The conditions
at the time dictate things to a certain extent.
You don’t have to be an expert off-road rider to join the
tour but some experience is important even if it's a day or two's
off road course at home before you do the trip. Some degree of
physical fitness is useful and you can get away with either lots
of off road experience or good fitness but a little of both helps.
You’ll pick up technique on the way with the help of the
guides.
Current model Yamaha TTR250 enduro bikes are perfect for the
trip. The four-stroke engine is easy to use, the bikes are light
and they are fitted with electric and kick-starts, which is helpful
when stopped halfway up a sand dune.
The 4WD support vehicle (two vehicles are used for groups of
10 or more) carries your luggage, fuel, spares, an extensive first
aid kit, a satellite phone and GPS equipment.
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