Kingsford Smith Mail Run

Today is a true outback adventure day, so wake up early, grab a coffee and something for breakfast, and jump in the car. Start your Kingsford Smith Mail Run adventure by heading east through pastoral land towards Gascoyne Junction, where huge sheep stations dot the incredible landscape surrounding you.

2 hours into your journey you’ll pass through Gascoyne Junction nestled on the banks of the Gascoyne River. This charming outback town is used as a great base to explore Mount Augustus, which is your next stop. If you want to know more about the town and the history of the area, park up and head to the Gascoyne Junction Museum which is housed in the original Roads Board Building – a tiny and quaint structure established in 1912. You’ll find a collection of historical artifacts like photos, signs, telephones, lanterns, saws and more. Don’t spend too long here, as you’ll want to arrive to Mount Augustus before sunset.

Head back on the road on your 4.5 hour journey to the incredible Mount Augustus. This massive, ancient monocline is twice the size of Uluru, so you’ve got no chance of missing this one as you see the size of this giant rock formation growing on your approach. You should arrive here in the afternoon, which is perfect timing as the sun starts to dip and the colours of the rock start to shine. Your accommodation for the night is at the Mount Augustus Tourist Park where you can choose from powered and unpowered campsites, as well as airconditioned rooms and units. You’ll have fantastic views of Mount Augustus from here, so crack a cold drink and watch the sun set as the 1,750-million-year-old rock boasts yellow, orange and even purple hues.

When it comes to dinner time, the tourist park has a fully stocked shop selling hot food for you to enjoy. There is a real community feel about this tourist park, so get to know your fellow camp folk and share a few stories around the campfire!

Wake up to a truly Australian outback setting at Mount Augustus, with gorgeous views and wide open spaces to start your day. If you’re feeling like a hike, explore the rock formation, caves, and aboriginal artwork surrounding the rock and throughout the area. If you’re doing this journey throughout wildflower season, you’ll be treated to carpets of Everlastings and other amazing wildflowers bringing the countryside to life with colour. You’ve only got 2.5 hours of driving today, so you can spend most of the morning here. If you are going to hike Mount Augustus, it’s recommend the 12km return hike is to be undertaken by fit and experienced bushwalkers and hikers, and you must be prepared with 3-4L of drinking water per person (more details here.)

After a morning of exploring, jump back in the car and make your way south to the Gascoyne River and Landor, famous for its races. If you’re embarking on this trip at the end of September, this is when the Landor Races are held, attracting around 1,000 people to the town creating a great atmosphere.

Pass through Gascoyne River and follow the current mail route onto Mount Gould and the Mount Gould Lock Up. The police station was built in 1888 and still stands today, which makes for an interesting building to check out while you’re in the area. When arriving here you’ll feel immersed in the true Australian outback here, as you set up camp for a night under the stars. You’ll be quite far from the nearest town meaning there is barely any light pollution, so you can expect a sky full of stars like you’ve never seen before! Make sure to bring food and drink with you here, as there are no facilities nearby.

Have a lazy morning around camp as you cook breakfast and enjoy a morning coffee. Today is your last day along the Kingsford Smith Mail Run, so take it slow and soak in your Aussie outback surroundings. Pack up the car and start your journey towards Meekatharra, which is a 2.5 hour stretch. The vast, timeless outback surrounds you on this stretch, as you arrive in the gold mining town of Meekatharra.

Originally a gold prospecting town settled in 1896, the town and surrounding areas feature a host of old mining pits and relics from the era. There are a range of exciting attractions and places to explore here, like the Meeka Town Heritage Walk or the Creek Trail to discover the history and heritage of the town and its people of the past. Follow the 3km Meeka Rangelands Discovery Trail for a fascinating insight into the Indigenous history, nature, and cultural heritage of the town. Visit the Meekatharra Museum to view over 100 photographs and interesting memorabilia of this outback town.

Depending on how much time you’ve got left in the day before the sun sets, you could pack up a picnic and head out to Peace Gorge at The Granites to explore the incredible rock formations just 5km from town – it’s an epic spot to watch the sun go down.

You’ll have a range of hotels and motels to choose from for your night’s stay in the heart of town, including Auski Inland Motel, Commercial Hotel and Royal Mail Hotel all with onsite restaurant to satisfy your dinner. If you are planning to camp, head to Karalundi Caravan Park, which is a 40 minute drive out of town so make sure you make dinner plans before you head there, or the Meekatharra Accommodation Centre in town with an onsite roadhouse.

Enjoy your last night out in the beautiful Gascoyne Murchison before continuing on your WA adventure.