Guide to Gascoyne Junction Western Australia Australia

Gascoyne Junction is a tiny town where the Gascoyne and Lyons rivers meet, about 170 km east of Carnarvon. It is the only town in the Shire of Upper Gascoyne and the gateway to Kennedy Range National Park and Mount Augustus, the world’s biggest rock. The road from Carnarvon is sealed, but beyond the town, roads are gravel and the country is remote.

This is Inggarda country. In December 2010 a huge flood on the Gascoyne River swept through the town and destroyed the historic pub, and the town centre was rebuilt and reopened in 2014. Today the Junction Pub and Tourist Park is the hub of town for travellers and station people alike.

Known For

• Gateway to Kennedy Range National Park
• The road to Mount Augustus
• The Junction Pub, rebuilt after the 2010 flood

Things To Do in Gascoyne Junction

Kennedy Range National Park

About 60 km north on gravel, Kennedy Range, known in Inggarda as Mundatharrda, has sandstone cliffs, gorges and walking trails. Temple Gorge Campground must be booked online from April 2026, and has toilets but no water. Parts of the park were closed after Cyclone Narelle in March 2026, so check with Parks and Wildlife before you go.

Mount Augustus

Mount Augustus, or Burringurrah, rises 1,106 m above sea level and is often said to be about twice the size of Uluru. It is about 290 km from Gascoyne Junction on unsealed roads, which are generally fine for 2WD in dry weather, but 4WD is recommended after rain.

Under Gascoyne Skies Festival

This free music and stargazing festival is held in May, with live bands, cooking demonstrations and history walks.

The rivers

Walk down to the junction of the Gascoyne and Lyons rivers, where river red gums line the sandy beds.

Where To Stay

The Gascoyne Junction Pub and Tourist Park has ensuite, powered and unpowered sites, one and two-bedroom units and budget rooms, with a pool, playground, laundry, camp kitchen and barbecues. Its roadhouse sells unleaded and diesel around the clock, along with coffee, groceries and car parts. Temple Gorge Campground in Kennedy Range is the other main option.

The road from Carnarvon is sealed and suits caravans. Beyond the town, all roads are gravel, and rivers and floodways close the roads after rain, with fines for driving on closed roads. Cyclone Narelle damaged several roads in March 2026, so check the Shire of Upper Gascoyne road report first, and carry water, fuel and two spare tyres.

Eat & Drink

The Junction Pub has a tavern restaurant serving lunch and dinner, and the roadhouse serves barista coffee and snacks.

History

Gascoyne Junction was first proposed as a townsite in 1897 and grew up as a stop for the region’s pastoral stations. In December 2010, the Gascoyne River flood destroyed the old pub and much of the town. A rebuilt town centre, funded by Royalties for Regions, opened in 2014 along with the new pub. In March 2026, Cyclone Narelle caused major road damage across the shire, although the town itself was only lightly affected.

Getting to Gascoyne Junction

Gascoyne Junction is about 170 km east of Carnarvon, around two hours’ drive; the turn-off is 12 km north of Carnarvon on the North West Coastal Highway. Carnarvon has the nearest airport.

The best time to visit is April to October. Summers are extremely hot, and the wet season brings road closures.