lindsay replied:

I would think that it would be stupid. The sand will be red hot and dry and will make dune crossing very hard. It will be hard on our vehicle with the engine and trnsmission components getting very hot. If you want a risky venture that you can brag about and want to risk it do it. If you want to enjoy the desert don't.
After numerous trips in that area and several crossing over all the tracks I would not reccommend it.

Bob Y. replied:

Richard, Living not that far from Birdsville, well half a days drive, our temps are similar to theirs, and daytime in the Simpson is not the best place to be. As stated, dunes would be hot and next to impassable. Down in amongst sandhills would often be devoid of any cooling wind. Your vehicle would be under extreme stress, and risk of breakdown highly probable. Not only that the desert wouldn't be too scenic, except early and late in the day.

Then, what about the people who would have to come and get you? Not fair on them, eh! Last Tuesday, my wife and I had to attend a rollover a few clicks from the house. Even with a tarp set up for shade, it was bloody hot, and we were only sitting around, tending the injured driver, until the Doctor arrived. turned out it was 51*C on verandah of house! If you were digging yourself out of numerous sandhills, your energy output would be as great as your need for plenty of fluids.

Leave it, Richard, and come back after it rains, it'll be cooler then. Regards....

Darian replied:

Amen to the above - all remote activity can turn into drama at any time - in high summer, the potential most be huge. That heat is not just irritating to people- it woud have to stress out most mechanical factors too.
As a volunteer base operator with the VKS737 Network I'm aware that there are several vehicles out on the Anne Beadell as I tap (going west to Laverton. There was a guy on the QAA line on the wekend too.
It could easily turn as hot now, as it will be later in the summer - sounds chancy to me.....Onyezorl...dp

Bob Y. replied:

G'day Richard, Pleased the trip went well, and the Patrol didn't embarrass you in front of these toyotas up here. We're a click or so off the road, so often don't see vehicles going past unless we're looking towards the bypass, or see the dust. Have about 30 sq km of sandhills here that you could have had a look at, maybe next time. Will have a tojo turbo work ute next year to rescue you.

This a land of change alright, after a couple of weeks of clear, HOT weather, today started with a duststorm, until mid morning, and temps didn't get over 38*C. Would have been good travelling towards Big Red!
Regards...

ExplorOz Team - Michelle replied:

Richard, I suppose you've already go the answer loud and clear from everyone else, but I've only just read your qn and would like to add my bit please and that is to take into consideration that even the locals in Birdsville clear out (I mean go south to Adelaide or Sydney) from end October - March. It's just foul to life in at that time.

Now Birdsville you've experienced, but for how long? Did you experience a bad dust storm? I've lived there myself for 3mths and its pretty bad in Spring/Summer and that's just the edge of the desert. The biggest drama is that the dunes actually become very difficult to cross. This year the Simpson took one of the biggest thrashings from public traffic that I've ever heard off. I talk regularly with the Desert Parks Ranger and he's quite concerned. The condition of the major French Line crossing this year was extremely rough due to such a dry season (and we experienced this ourselves this season, rough already in June!!!).

In answer to your question it is 'do able" but at extreme risk and extreme discomfort. There are no trees that can shade your vehicle, the days are longer and unless you need to cross to get somewhere then there is no "enjoyment" to be gained from the trip at this time of year. I know of another ExplorOz user is has to do the trip at this time, a pom too!! (yes, but he's a scientist!) but if you have a requirement to cross the country then there's little choice. If its purely because you have the time and want to go that way one day, then don't choose this time to do it. The reasons have been said.

Enjoy Xmas whatever you do, but I hope its not in the Simpson.