Tour: Darwin - Litchfield NP - Kimberleys - Canning Stock Route - Perth (or vice versa)
Level: very demanding
Prices: see bottom of page
Impressions of our tour 2007 on YouTube: Canning Stock Route
Kimberleys - Part 1
Kimberleys - Part 2
Apart from a multitude of tourism highlights, like Litchfield National Park, Purnululu National Park and the Mitchell Falls, we experience the classic tracks, the stock routes, where cattle was driven through the desert.
These tracks are not designed for motorised vehicles and pose quite a challenge. The "Gibb River Stock Route" leads us through the tropical ranges of the Kimberley region. On the "Canning Stock Route", we cross the Great Sandy Desert. We spend about two weeks on this approximately 1.500 km track without any external supplies and some 1.000 sand dunes to cross. So far, few travellers have experienced the Canning Stock Route. It is a very demanding track, which on the other hand has the upmost to offer.
This special expedition demands extraordinary physical fitness and off-road experience, only then will this journey become the highlight of your enduro-career. We guarentee it. We cannot accept a pillon passenger, but we reserved a place in the support vehicle.
Everything starts pleasant enough. On a beach in Darwin, a town with an "easy going atmosphere", we celebrate with a bottle of bubbly, corks pop for the start of this Bike Tours Special.
The next day takes us to Litchfield.
Our next stop is in Nitmiluk - Katherine Gorge National Park. We camp at the Edith Falls. Embedded in tropical vegetation, the falls beckon to please us.
Across the West Australian border, in Kununurra, we can help you organise sightseeing flights over Purmululu - Bungle Bungle and an expedition on the Ord River.
Then, the serious fun starts.
The Gibb River Stock Route begins, leading us across the Kimberley Region. The entire area is wild and undeveloped. There are plenty of river crossings and after approximately 350 km we turn onto a track that will lead us to the Indian Ocean and the Mitchell Plateau.
The Mitchell Falls are, in our opinion, the most spectacular of all Australian waterfalls. Undiscovered by mainstream tourism, they impress us with their immense and unbound wilderness.
On our way to Halls Creek, we pass through the southern Kimberley regions and their National Parks, Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek. Both contribute to the regions superb attraction. Untamed nature of exquisite beauty.
In Halls Creek the legend of all Australian outback tracks begins: the Canning Stock Route. Established in 1910, it served to drive herds of cattle from the Kimberley region to the goldfields of Kalgoorlie. Altogether, 51 wells were set up to supply water to the animals. Some of these wells are still in use today.
Pioneering spirit and extreme exertion forged this track through the desert, attacks by Aboriginals and later the realisation that man and beast simply could not cope with the stress, stopped the practice in its tracks. The last herd was moved in 1958.
Left and forgotten the Canning Stock Route and its wells slowly disintegrated, however, today they are re-discovered by pioneers of a new era.
As we progress slowly from well to well, we can relate to the hardship of the days gone by. We have to cross almost 1.000 sand dunes. We are relying entirely on our own resources. The only connection to the outside world is a satellite phone, in case of emergency.
The experience, "Canning Stock Route" is only lived out there and every drop of perspiration accounts for it.
In Kalgoorlie we re-enter civilisation and another part of Australia's history. We spend a day in the town, that has its past, present and future firmly gripped by the goldrush. We enjoy its history and the pleastantries of civilisation.
Two days later in Perth, situated on magnificent Swan River and the Indian Ocean, our journey ends.
Those who arrived as tourists return home as pioneers. The trip remains an experience of a lifetime.
Prices:
You can also join the tour with your own bike. Price: AUD 3.990,-
Prices include:
- Pick-up service from airport at tour starting point
- Motorcycle rent for duration of tour
- Third-party insurance and full comprehensive insurance with AUD 3.000,00 excess; excess can be reduced to AUD 600,00 by payment of AUD19,00 per day.
- Maintenance of the motorbike and repairs during the tour (provided that they are not caused by actual fault)
- Spare motorcycle during tour transported on trailer
- Support vehicle and luggage transport
- German/English speaking tour guide
- Maps and roadbook
- Campground fees
- Cook
- Food
- Fuel
- GST and taxes
Prices do not include:
- Air fares
- Admission fees for national parks, museums, etc. and other activities
- additional insurance (see above)
Requirements/Driving Licence:
For Australia, an international driving licence (in combination with the national driving licence only) or an English translation of the national driving licence (in combination with the national driving licence only) is needed. The drivers participating must be 21 years of age at least and in possession of a driving licence for all motorbike types.
Please note: We reserve the right to make changes at any time.
