Hanns Track Westate

Following an intrepid explorer Across the Victoria Desert (WA).

Hanns Track Westate.

The track from waterhole to waterhole that Hann had laboured so long to perfect had only ever seen two previous vehicles. Theo Beyers’ truck in 1928 and the Cable brothers’ sandalwooding truck in 1931, before my first attempt to conquer it in 1992. That effort was washed out by heavy, widespread rains but, in dryer days later that year, geologist Mike Donaldson and zoologist Dave Pearson and a couple of mates managed to break the trail. I finally made it in 1993, the first of many expeditions I’ve undertaken out there to search for the features named by Hann.
Over the years I’ve adjusted and improved the route each time I’ve traversed it, trying to duplicate Hann’s actual route.

These expeditions have included a host of friends and I’ve been assisted at times by the tagalong outfit, Campfire Escapes. A fourteen vehicle Campfire Escapes’ convoy in 2008 really began the bedding down of what is now a semipermanent track in the footsteps of Hann’s camel team. While lightning strike wildfires followed by heavy rain can still cause the track to completely disappear in places, there are enough waypoints supplied herein to prevent you going astray.

At present (2012) this amazing stretch of country has been seen by less than 100 individuals still alive today. This publication will soon dramatically increase the number of visitors driving the track and I’m sure it will eventually rival the popularity of the Canning Stock Route with the 4WD fraternity.

Enjoy your Hanns Track experience. Ian Elliot