There’s something oddly grounding about rolling into a town with a population smaller than a city café queue. Gascoyne Junction, with its single pub and the quiet buzz of outback camaraderie, marked the start of our journey into one of the most spectacular corners of the Golden Outback. From there, we set off on a route less travelled, one that now defines a new chapter in our extended Explorer and Adventurer tour.
The Kennedy Range loop isn’t just a track; it’s a layered passage through time and terrain. What begins as a dry river crossing over the Gascoigne becomes a slow, deliberate climb up ochre ridgelines that test both machine and mind. For hours, the track meanders through scrub and sandstone, ascending to a place few ever sleep. And that’s exactly where we spent the night – on a high ridge, swags unrolled, with nothing but 50,000 stars and the desert wind for company.
A taste of true isolation and why it doesn’t need to be Intimidating
This scouting trip back in September 2024 was where we trialled adding the Kennedy Range to our Explorer itinerary. It was just one vehicle, a couple of travellers and the kind of remote magic that only unfolds when you’re truly off the map. The feedback was instant and clear: this place deserved a permanent place on our tour route.
We arrived late afternoon and found our spot, a natural ledge overlooking the yawning canyons. There was no formal campsite, no signs, no noise, just raw land. We cooked dinner under the kind of sky that makes silence feel like a language. There was a quiet humour to the night, too. As we sipped bush tea and listened to the low murmur of the desert breeze through spinifex, two families arrived in convoy and, despite having the entire park to themselves, began setting up just metres from us.
It would have been easy to find it odd, but the moment they approached, their concern was clear: “You look prepared… would you mind if we stay close?” They were unsure about the terrain, anxious about the remoteness, and unsure of what might lurk in the dark. It was a candid moment that revealed a deeper truth: remote travel is exhilarating, but for many, it can be unnerving.
And this is exactly where Proudback changes the game. With our off-road adventure tours, you’re not venturing into the unknown alone. You’re guided by a team that’s mapped every route, crossed every river, and camped on every ridge. We carry satellite phones, emergency supplies, spare parts and perhaps most importantly, the confidence that comes from experience.
This sense of security, delivered in the midst of raw wilderness, elevates 4WD tours of Western Australia with Proudback beyond a typical tag-along. It’s not just about seeing the outback; it’s about experiencing it safely, with depth and perspective.
From red ridges to coastal reefs on your next Golden Outback journey
What struck us most wasn’t the view, though that was staggering. It was the wind. Gentle but ever-present, it carried through the acacia like whispers. If you’ve never slept in the open under that kind of wind, you’re missing one of life’s most soothing soundtracks.
The next morning brought more than sunrise. The track looped back through narrow valleys and dry creek beds, revealing caves and stone formations only visible by slowing down and really looking. This route, now part of Proudback’s Explorer experience, captures everything we stand for: access to truly remote country, delivered in a way that’s both rugged and refined.
This isn’t just an off-road adventure tour. It’s immersion, a kind of solitude that resets your internal clock.
What makes the Kennedy Range so unique is its accessibility, relatively speaking. At around 200 kilometres inland, it offers a taste of the Australian outback 4×4 trips many dream of, without the marathon drives required to reach places like Uluru. It’s the kind of experience that fits neatly into our broader itineraries, balancing out the coastal drama of Shark Bay or Ningaloo with raw, red earth grandeur.
We know from experience – and from our guests – that this combination of landscapes is where the real transformation happens. When you’ve stood on a ridge with no signal, no sound, and no one else in sight, it changes how you experience the coast days later. Everything feels earned. Every wave, every reef dive, every bite of seafood by the fire becomes layered with meaning.
Since that September scouting trip, the Kennedy Range has become a cornerstone of our Explorer and Adventurer tours. It speaks to the heart of what we do at Proudback: we don’t just take people to places – we create space for them to rediscover their own sense of scale, stillness and story.
Ready to experience the real outback?
If you’re after 4WD tours in Western Australia that go beyond the brochure, consider this your invitation. The outback isn’t about luxury or comfort, it’s about presence, and in a world overloaded with filtered escapes, this is as real as it gets. Whether you’re new to Australian outback 4×4 trips or looking to take your love of off-road adventure tours to the next level, Proudback ensures you’re never truly alone out there, just free.
Ready to experience the real outback? Explore our upcoming 4WD tours to the Kennedy Range and beyond, crafted for those who want more than just a holiday.