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Kingsford Smith Mail Run, Carnarvon to Meekatharra Kingsford Smith Mail Run, Carnarvon to Meekatharra

4WD  in Golden Outback

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Gascoyne & Desert Country, Kalgoorlie & Goldfields

  • Multiple day
  • 834 km
    • 4WD Easy

      High Range 4WD and Low Range vehicles may be required. Preferable to have 4WD driver training.

Following in the wheel ruts of pioneer Charles Kingsford Smith, this 834 km 4WD trail gives the traveller a real feel for Western Australia’s outback with a smattering of history to make things even more interesting. The trail takes you from Carnarvon on the west coast, inland to Meekatharra mainly along gravel roads

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The 834 kilometre long Kingsford Smith Mail Run can be a lonely road, but the highlights are worth the trip. Buy the Outback Pathways CD and listen to stories about the region while you’re on the road. The CD features a riotous line up of tales, told by the colourful characters who call the Gascoyne Murchison home.

The trail is well marked with thirteen interpretive sites. Some about Kingsford Smith (or Smithy, as he was known), who commenced his mail run along this very route in 1924, and others Aboriginal dreamtime stories and early European history.

Start in Carnarvon, the vegetable growing area of the Gascoyne which provides bananas, mangoes and a wide range of other produce. Indulge in a banana or mango smoothie from Bumbaks Plantation before you set off on your journey.  From there, travel to Gascoyne Junction where the pub is the centre of town (especially in the blistering summer heat) before heading to Bangemall Inn, established in 1896 for gold prospectors and today a place to unhitch the caravan or stay in one of the station rooms. 

The world’s biggest monolith, Mount Augustus is worth a stay of a few days.  The Summit Trail is one of the Top Trails, and there are other walks in the area.  Then head to old Mount Gould lockup.  Manned from 1888, a few policemen were stationed here to imprison the sheep rustlers - the pastoralists scared away native animals so the Aborigines had to eat the occasional sheep.

This is one of three Gascoyne Murchison Outback Pathways.  The others are the Miners Pathway & the Wool Wagon Pathway. The Gascoyne Murchison Outback Pathways website is very informative and brochures and a guidebook are available from visitor information centres.  The 178 page Gascoyne Murchison Outback Pathways Guidebook (including CD) takes readers on a journey along these trails and delves deep in the history of the area. It examines the rich indigenous history, the arrival of European explorers and the establishment of the pastoral and mining industries and includes fascinating historical photographs. The guidebook also looks at the region’s rich flora and fauna, showcasing some of the more common and the odder animal species and features photos of the carpets of wildflowers that blanket the region in colour. 

Carnarvon Visitor Centre

(08) 9941 1146

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Be trail ready for Kingsford Smith Mail Run, Carnarvon to Meekatharra

Here is everything you need to know before visiting this trail.

Time / Duration

3 - 6 days

Length

834km Distance can vary depending on how much exploring you do off the main trail

What To Pack

Group D (Drive trails) required.

Trail Start

The Old Post Office, Robinson Street Carnarvon, 900km (11 hours)north of Perth

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Trail End

Meekatharra

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4WD

Easy

High Range 4WD and Low Range vehicles may be required. Preferable to have 4WD driver training.

Visit Trail Tips for further information.

Difficulty Notes

4WD experience required

Hazards & Warnings

As this trail is mainly on gravel roads, wet weather may close the road. Be sure to call 138138 for current track conditions.

Facilities

  • Camping

Best time of year

April to October

Trail Access

Air, road or bus to Carnarvon. Trail can only be accessed by 4WD

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1 trail goers have rated Kingsford Smith Mail Run, Carnarvon to Meekatharra as 4 out of 5!

We love to hear from people who've been on our Western Australian trails, so it would be most appreciated it if you wanted to leave a review.

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Michael Warren

Reviewed 22 Sep 2022, 5:41pm

Amazing road trip from Carnarvon to Meekatharra via Mt Augustus. The roads were well maintained and we located all the interpretive signage which provides a great insight into the area in days gone by. Mount Augustus was a very decent mid-way point to stop for a few days as there are so many trails to check out. Meekatharra was a very pleasant town to finish the drive at with nice green grass, coffee van and friendly locals. Unfortunately the drum over the river (as pictured) is no longer there, only the curled up wire under one of the trees. Vandalism or flood damage?

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