The Gunbarrel Highway takes its name from the Gunbarrel Road Construction Party and links Western Australia with the Northern Territory.

The Gunbarrel Road Construction Party was the name given to the team of men under the leadership of surveyor Len Beadell, who built a network of desert highways to service Woomera and the Giles Weather Station.

The Gunbarrel (Wiluna to Docker River) and the Great Central Road (Laverton to Warburton) are the most well known. The section from Docker River (also known as Kaltukatjara) to Yulara is often included as part of the Gunbarrel Highway, though it is technically the Great Central Road.

It is not possible to drive the entire length of the original Gunbarrel Highway, as some of the sections have been abandoned and other sections pass through Aboriginal land that has restricted access. It is possible to get from Wiluna to Yulara on a series of tracks that are now known as the Gunbarrel Highway.

The Gunbarrel Highway comprises a selection of track environments that include washaways, heavy corrugations, stone, sand and flood plains.

Permits are required for sections of the road that pass through Aboriginal communities and alcohol restrictions apply.

The Great Central Road is generally suitable for conventional vehicles. The Gunbarrel Highway should only be tackled via 4WD vehicle.

Location: Wiluna is located 945 kilometres north east of Perth, via Meekatharra. It is 540 kilometres north of Kalgoorlie. 

Australia’s Golden Outback

The Shire of Wiluna

The Shire of Leonora