Little Sandy Desert

The Little Sandy Desert is a vast, remote expanse of red sand dunes, spinifex grasslands, and salt lakes in Western Australia. It lies between the Great Sandy Desert to the north and the Gibson Desert to the south, offering a true outback experience for adventurous travellers. This is a land of stark beauty, extreme solitude, and ancient Indigenous culture, best explored on a self-drive expedition with careful preparation.

Highlights & What to See

• Canning Stock Route – One of Australia’s most iconic 4WD tracks, traversing the desert with historic wells and remote campsites. A bucket-list journey for serious off-roaders.
• Salt Lakes – Vast, blindingly white salt pans like Lake Auld and Lake Dora, which shimmer with mirages and become temporary wildlife refuges after rain.
• Desert Wildlife – Spot red kangaroos, bilbies, and perentie lizards; birdlife includes emus and desert chats. Best seen at dawn or dusk.
• Indigenous Rock Art and Sites – The desert is rich in Aboriginal cultural heritage, with ancient engravings and ceremonial sites near the Canning Stock Route. Respect and do not touch.
• Stargazing – With zero light pollution, the night sky is a dazzling canopy of stars – the Milky Way stretches from horizon to horizon.

Suggested Time to Spend

To truly experience the Little Sandy Desert, allocate at least 5–7 days for a self-drive journey along the Canning Stock Route or a loop from Newman or Wiluna. This allows for slow travel, camping, and side trips to salt lakes. Most travellers combine it with the Great Sandy Desert or the Kimberley region. Be prepared for extreme heat in summer (Nov–Mar) and carry ample water, fuel, and supplies. The cooler months (Apr–Oct) are more manageable.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Great Sandy Desert – The larger, more famous neighbour, with similar landscapes and the legendary Wolfe Creek Crater.
• Gibson Desert – A remote desert south of the Little Sandy, home to the iconic Gunbarrel Highway and stunning red dunes.
• Karijini National Park – Dramatic gorges, waterfalls, and swimming holes in the Hamersley Range, about 500 km west.
• Newman – The closest town for supplies and a gateway to the desert, with the impressive Mount Whaleback mine lookout.
• Wiluna – A historic gold-mining town and start of the Canning Stock Route, with Aboriginal art galleries and the Gunbarrel Highway.

Please check official sources for current details.