If the lure of the world’s largest rock — twice the size of Uluru — isn’t enough to attract you to Western Australia's Upper Gascoyne region, how about the four-wheel driving, hiking and stargazing? There’s something for everyone in this unique part of Australia.
The small town of Gascoyne Junction, WA, is the hub for the popular Upper Gascoyne region. This surprising little oasis in the outback acts as the starting point, finale or mid region stop for the many hundreds of visitors who come to explore the ancient landscapes of Kennedy Range National Park and the world’s largest rock: Mount Augustus.
Boasting epic road trips, hiking trails and sparkling night skies for astronomers and astrophotographers, Gascoyne Junction is a must-see Aussie town that should be added to every traveller’s bucket list of destinations.
Where two rivers meet
Leaving the Pilbara and Coral Coast regions behind, Gascoyne Junction is the gateway to Australia’s Golden Outback and is the perfect basecamp to explore the many attractions of the Upper Gascoyne region.
As the name suggests, Gascoyne Junction sits where two rivers — the Lyons and Gascoyne — meet, just 176km inland from Carnarvon. One of the first things that visitors notice about Gascoyne Junction is how clean and tidy it is — and it was named the 2023 National Keep Australia Beautiful Tidy Town.
Located on Yinggarda country, Gascoyne Junction was discovered by English explorers in the 1850s and by the 1870s pastoralists had moved into the region and established a bustling sheep industry. Fast forward to 1907 and the town was gazetted with maintaining safe roads as its purpose. The pastoralists remained but cattle became their livestock of choice and have remained so since the 1980s. When you visit the area, cows will be the main cause of ‘peak hour’ traffic as they graze the countryside.
Things to do
As you enter Gascoyne Junction you will be greeted by the VH-DMT Cessna aircraft, which is a longstanding reminder of its service to the region in pioneering aerial mustering.
A must-visit is Kennedy Range National Park, an ancient landscape rising 100m above the valley and 90km in length and filled with gorges, springs and canyons. And while you might have been drawn to the region to see Mount Augustus, you’ll leave with lasting memories of this ancient red rock landscape. The DBCA operated campground is caravan and camper trailer-friendly and ideal for off-grid escapes. There’s a communal camp fire and camp hosts are available from May to September. Make sure you explore the Honeycomb Gorge trail (600m return) or for a challenge head to the Escarpment Trail to climb to the top of the range for epic views across the Upper Gascoyne.
Mount Augustus National Park is home to the world’s largest rock. Twice the size of Uluru, Mount Augustus is 8km long and 3km wide and is found 300km north-east of Gascoyne Junction. There are also rocky creeks, gorges, open plains, Aboriginal rock engravings (petroglyphs) and a variety of local wildlife to explore. If you’re up for a challenge, the 12km Summit Trail to the top of Mount Augustus is open from March to October. For those less adventurous there are many hiking trails starting from 300m return.
Explore the region’s Indigenous culture with Wooramulla Eco Cultural Journeys or see firsthand remnants of the pastoral heritage at the Gascoyne Junction Historical Museum.
Epic road trips
There are plenty of great routes to take to get to Gascoyne Junction, including the Outback Pathways self-drive trails. The Kingsford Smith Mail Run from Carnarvon to Meekatharra or the Wool Wagon Pathway from Geraldton to Exmouth are a great way to explore the Upper Gascoyne.
There’s also the Road to the Rock from Perth or if you want a longer scenic route, the Starry Coast to Outback adventure from Perth to Mount Augustus via Shark Bay World Heritage Area, Kennedy Range and Gascoyne Junction is a fantastic drive.
For 4WD enthusiasts, Gascoyne Junction is the starting point for the Kennedy Loop Track which explores the rugged, remote and beautiful western side of Kennedy Range National Park. Alternatively, the eastern side of the Kennedy Range is 60km north of Gascoyne Junction and is easy to access.
For up-to-date road conditions, visit the shire website here.
Stargazing
Gascoyne Junction is an Astrotourism town and once the sun sets the sky truly comes to life. Visit from April to October to see the core of the Milky Way with the naked eye. There are many special stargazing nights held in the town and at Mount Augustus, which are listed on the council’s website. One spot beloved by locals and visitors alike is the town waterhole, great for stargazing, birdwatching and enjoying a relaxing dip in the water surrounded by natural beauty.
When to visit
April through to early October is the best time of year, as the weather is beautifully moderate (with the occasional cool night). Summer tends to be quite hot, so plan your days accordingly. For wildflowers and the Dawsons Burrowing Bee (Australia’s largest native bee which is endemic to the area), August is your best bet.
Where to stay
Gascoyne Junction Pub and Tourist Park: Perfect for those who want to stay in the heart of Gascoyne Junction, this tourist park has units, caravan-friendly sites, playground, pool, camp kitchen, laundry and views of the Kennedy Range. The pub is a foodies delight with many visitors travelling out of the way to taste its #junctionpubgrub. Enjoy a meal, chat with the locals and head back the next morning for a barista coffee. There is also a 24/7 service station available at the adjacent roadhouse.
Mount Augustus Tourist Park: A station stay experience with the giant monolith as the backdrop. It’s caravan-friendly and has self-contained cabins, but there is an unsealed access road which is suitable for 4WD and 2WD (alternatively, pay a small fee to leave your van as Gascoyne Junction Pub and Tourist Park). The park has a small store, service station, dining room and bar (open most evenings during tourist season) and hosts the annual Biggest BBQ event.
What’s on
For a full calendar of upcoming events in the Gascoyne region, head to the Shire of Upper Gascoyne website.
But to make things easy, here’s a taste of what’s on in the next couple of months:
- Flavours of the Gascoyne, Gascoyne Junction — 24 August 2024
- Biggest BBQ, Mount Augustus — 31 August 2024
- Stargazing Mount Augustus — 3 September 2024
- Stargazing Gascoyne Junction — 4 September 2024
- Junction Races (now sold out) — 6–8 September 2024
- Landor Races — 27–30 September 2024
- Kennedy Range Campdraft — 5–6 October 2024
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