Wiluna to Well 9

All three CSR access routes are through private land using station tracks. Conditions have been placed on their use.

• Travel is entirely at your own risk
• Stay on the approved sign-posted track – never deviate
• No travel when the track is closed (wet)
• No shooting

CUNYU SECTION: Well 3 to Well 4B

• No trailers and wide track vehicles
• The track is rough, narrow, winding and not maintained
• Carry own water
• Camp at Well 3 or Windich only

Granite Peak: Well 5 & Glen Ayle: Well 9

• A track maintenance fee is charged:-
• Standard 4x4 $20, trailer $10 Bus type vehicle $40
• Roads to homesteads are Shire maintained
• Access for trailers and large vehicles

Camping Sites

Along the length of the track are many pleasant camping sites, not necessarily at the wells. Some of the more notable ones are:

• Well 3
• Windich Springs
• Well 6
• Well 7
• Well 12
• Durba Springs
• Desert Oaks near Lake Disappointment between Wells 20 & 21
• Well 24
• Well 26
• Well 28
• Well 30 Desert Oaks
• Bungabinni Well
• Well 37
• Well 41
• Well 46
• Breaden Hills
• Well 49

Emergency Exits

In the event of rain, vehicle problems, supply shortage or illness, it may be necessary to make an emergency exit off the track.

Exit to the west on the Talawana Track between Wells 22 & 23, or on the Kidman track near Well 33.

On these same tracks you can also exit to join the Gary 'Highway' (but there are no facilities here either), or head east from Well 5 or 9 to join the track to Glen Ayle Station (permission is needed to use this track).

Fuel Requirements

Fuel consumption on the firmer sections of track will be similar to normal consumption rates if driving at moderate speed. Allow up to DOUBLE or TRIPLE the consumption rate for the dune sections due to soft sand conditions, tortuous track and repeated short run-ups.

Extra fuel can be carried in long range tanks or jerry cans.

Carrying fuel cans inside the vehicle is not recommended, but beware of overloading roofracks (risk of breakage & greater risk of rollover) - empty the jerries into the main tank as soon as possible. Virtually ALL travellers require a fuel dump - usually near Well 23. Fuel is ordered by the 44-gallon drum (200 litres) from Bill Sheppard at Newman (Ph 091 751 5356). It must be ordered and paid for a few months in advance. Remember to bring a small pump to transfer the fuel!

Navigation

The track is now reasonably well defined in most areas but rain of plant growth may obscure it, and wrong turnings onto station tracks or seismographic survey lines is possible. Look for small "CSR" signs, white writing on red background.

Keep a trip log, record distance between landmarks, direction of turning points and survey Bench Marker numbers which appear near the track. With this trip log you can backtrack to your last known location if lost. Good maps and a compass (learn how to use it) are essential.

A mobile satellite positoning system (GPS) is not necessary although it certainly makes navigating easier (but you still need maps and compass for backup).

Radio Communication

AM-CB radios and UHF-CB radios are for inter-vehicle communication within the convoy. Channel 10 on both the UHF and AM CB is becoming accepted as the 4WD channel and is therefore recommended in these areas to keep in touch with other travellers. Under good conditions AM-CB radios may 'skip' long distances but this can NOT be relied upon in emergencies.

HF RADIO IS ESSENTIAL IN THIS AREA. Radios can be hired and the cost shared by the convoy.

There are 4 services of importance:

• Australia-Wide 4WD HF Radio Network
• Royal Flying Doctor Service
• Telstra
• Penta-Comstat

The RFDS once dominated this type of service, but services are now changing constantly, therefore we recommend you discuss your needs with your radio supplier.

Contact Numbers