Gunbarrel Highway

You'll discover a genuine outback adventure on the Gunbarrel Highway, one of Australia's most iconic remote routes cutting through the heart of the Little Sandy Desert. This 5.0 km section showcases the raw, unforgiving beauty of Western Australia's interior—a place where few venture and fewer still traverse by vehicle. The terrain challenges you with deep sand, rocky outcrops, and unpredictable ground conditions that demand respect and skill from any 4WD driver.

The driving experience is pure outback: wide-open vistas of spinifex grassland and sparse vegetation stretch endlessly across the horizon, with the desert landscape shifting constantly as you navigate the track. You'll encounter varied surfaces ranging from compacted sand to loose, drifting sections that test your vehicle's traction and your own driving precision. The lack of formal ratings speaks to the trail's remote nature—this is genuine expedition territory where conditions vary significantly depending on weather and seasonal factors.

Before tackling this route, you should prepare thoroughly: carry substantial water supplies, fuel reserves, and recovery equipment. Mobile coverage is non-existent out here, so self-sufficiency is essential. The flat grade belies the technical demands of desert driving—sand driving techniques, tire pressure management, and vehicle maintenance knowledge will serve you well. This is a trail for experienced off-roaders seeking authentic desert exploration away from established tourist routes.