The goldrush and expansion of the colony had created a demand for meat that could not be met from the south. Cattle from Kimberley pastoral regions were being transported south via an arduous sea journey. This was followed by a long trek inland to the goldfields by which time the cattle had lost considerable condition and market appeal.

After establishing the feasibility of an inland stock route, Canning was then instructed to equip 51 watering points along the route. This task was completed in 1910 and the droving of cattle southward began.

For 40 years, the Canning Stock Route periodically provided a vital transport link to the south for Kimberley cattle. By the mid-1950s, however, the route’s wells and equipment had deteriorated and improvements in coastal shipping and road transport provided a better alternative than driving cattle overland.

A very comprehensive history of the Canning Stock Route is containted in various publications, many of which are currently only available through community libraries, or via websites. See the Publications page for more detail.