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Simpson Desert Trip

Submitted: Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 07:46

Member - vivien C (VIC)

Article Overview - Simpson Desert
The Simpson Desert can be crossed via the French Line, WAA line or Rig Road. This trek provides a route using a combination of all 3 routes. View Full Article...
We arrived home late Friday afternoon after a thoroughly enjoyable journey.

Our track was through Chowilla and Dangalli parks to Yunta then up the Frome Downs road to Arkaroola. We had a day there and went on the Ridge Top Tour.
From Arkaroola it was on to the Birdsville Track to Mungeranie then the Warburton Track to the Rig Road. We followed the Rig Road all the way over to Dalhousie and spent an enjoyable night at Mt Dare.

After refuelling etc at Mt Dare we returned across the Simpson following the French Line to the Colson Track, the Colson to the WAA. From the WAA we went up the Knolls Track back to the French Line and Poeppel's Corner. Then it was onto the QAA line to Big Red and into Birdsville.

We had a celebratory meal at the Birdsville Hotel and then next day headed for the Cordillo Downs Road then onto the Arrabury Road down to the Dig Tree and Innamincka. From there we went out to Moomba for a look before heading through Merty Merty and on to Cameron Corner. A huge dust storm blew up overnight there which made for an eerie morning with visibility very low.

A day was spent driving around Sturt NP and visiting Tibooburra before we went via Mt Sturt to Depot Glen and the road back West to the Border Fence. We followed the netting wild dog fence South and then stayed as close to the border as possible all the way to Silverton.

We called into Broken Hill to meet friends and then travelled South along the Silver City Highway until the Scotia Sanctuary turn off. We then followed that road all the way back to the junction where our trip had started near Chowilla Nature Reserve.

The last night of the trip was spent in luxury at a motel in Renmark then in the morning we visited the Old Customs House and the Border Cliffs before following the Old Mail Road back to Merbein. From there we took the Meridian Road down through the Murray Sunset NP to the Nowingi Track and the highway home.

Altogether we did 5100kms. It was 680kms from Mungeranie to Mt Dare on the Rig Road and took 91litres. The return trip to Birdsville was 560kms and we used 104 litres. We were fortunate in not having any tyre or vehicle problems and the best thing was that "I drove up Big Red"!!!

Well, that wasn't the real best thing. The desert was the best thing. We loved being out there and were totally amazed by its beauty. The wild flowers and trees, the small lizards and birds, the brilliant colours of the sand..it was just a pleasure all the way.

Thanks for the advice from so many on the forum. We had a great time. We took lots of photos and hope to put a report with photos together as soon as I work out how to do it!!

Viv
Durba Springs Shadows
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I may be justifying my pockets of chaos, but I will always choose people over perfection and the heart over task and tidy.

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AnswerID: 264538   Submitted: Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 08:42

Gramps (NSW) replied:

Vivien,

Glad to hear you enjoyed yourselves. Look forward to seeing your pics.

Regards


Al


Have you noticed that your memories, prior to colour TV, are in black and white
Reply 1 of 8
FollowupID: 526374   Submitted: Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 19:07

Member - vivien C (VIC) posted:

Thanks Al,

It was one of the best trips we've done. Now that we're home and back to the reality of work I wish that I was out there still.

Viv
Durba Springs Shadows
Click Image to Enlarge
I may be justifying my pockets of chaos, but I will always choose people over perfection and the heart over task and tidy.

FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 264539   Submitted: Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 08:43

Willem replied:

Hi Viv

Good to hear that you have had a pleasant desert adventure. I relate to the lizards in the Simpson. They always seem to be hell bent on running across the track in front of you. It is as if they were taking bets to see who can make it....lol.

Cheers

Porcupine Grass in the Great Sandy Desert
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Willem
Surfing the Porcupine Grass
Reply 2 of 8
FollowupID: 526307   Submitted: Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 09:10

Wayne (NSW) posted:

Willem,

I have also come across those lizards.

They are Blacksmith Lizards.

When they see you coming they make a bolt for the side of the road. :))

As I read Vivien report I could see every place that they went too and ca still remember my first crossing of Big Red back in 1992.

Wayne

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FollowupID: 526317   Submitted: Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 10:37

Willem posted:

Thanks for the lizards name, Wayne.

Are you enjoying your rest from the travelling or are you rearing to get out there again :-)

Cheers
Porcupine Grass in the Great Sandy Desert
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Willem
Surfing the Porcupine Grass
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FollowupID: 526321   Submitted: Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 11:22

Wayne (NSW) posted:

Willem,

At home at the moment.
Go back to my other job on Tuesday, Wednesday off to Stockton Beach to do a segment for Sydney Weekender, then back to the tool making job until mid November and the Vic High Country trips start.

Wayne

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Never Let It Rest
Till Your Good Is Better
And Your Better Best

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FollowupID: 526377   Submitted: Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 19:14

Member - vivien C (VIC) posted:

Willem,

Those little lizards really amused me! They rushed madly from side to side. They flattened out crossing the track then just as they reached the other side, up would pop their heads. There were little birds that did the same thing. Wish I knew what they were too.

It was definitely an unforgettable experience and I'm so glad that at last we have been out there. I'm sure it will call us back.

Viv
Durba Springs Shadows
Click Image to Enlarge
I may be justifying my pockets of chaos, but I will always choose people over perfection and the heart over task and tidy.

FollowUp 4 of 4
AnswerID: 264547   Submitted: Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 10:19

Member - Dick (Int) replied:

Viv, thanks for posting the great report. Sounds like you had a good time.

Did you tow your camper trailer on this trip? If so, how did it handle the Simpson.

Dick
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Reply 3 of 8
FollowupID: 526379   Submitted: Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 19:27

Member - vivien C (VIC) posted:

Hello Dick,

No, we didn't tow the camper trailer. We had a pack rack and took a swag.

I know people do take their trailers but I'm glad that we didn't. We felt we didn't have enough experience in this type of driving and a trailer would only add problems.

All the best

Viv


















Durba Springs Shadows
Click Image to Enlarge
I may be justifying my pockets of chaos, but I will always choose people over perfection and the heart over task and tidy.

FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 264553   Submitted: Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 10:51

Members - Chris/Lindsay (VIC) replied:

Glad you had a great trip. We were there in September 2006 and returned last July. Was it hot? We had up to 41 degrees last September but far less people than in July. We loved the Warburton track in July. Got to Birdsville bakery at 11am and they had run out of bread! Is it in your blood now? We think we'll give it a rest for a few years till we can do the Madigan line. Tassie might be fun. Cheers. Christine.
Fear is faith in the wrong thing.
Reply 4 of 8
FollowupID: 526380   Submitted: Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 19:40

Member - vivien C (VIC) posted:

Hello Chris,

It was quite hot but nowhere near 41 degrees. We had mostly lovely weather but the days were quite windy. There weren't many people out there and we would go hours without seeing anyone at all.

We loved it too. I know we'll go back again. We'd like to do the Madigan Line one day too.

Next year's trip is up to the Northern Territory by as many out of the way roads as possible. Ray has never been up to Darwin and the Top End so we have to remedy that.

All the best

Viv

Durba Springs Shadows
Click Image to Enlarge
I may be justifying my pockets of chaos, but I will always choose people over perfection and the heart over task and tidy.

FollowUp 1 of 1
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AnswerID: 264561   Submitted: Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 12:31

Footloose replied:

I am sitting in my dingy back workshop/office, remembering my times at Birdsville and crossing the Simpson in the days before GPS and moving maps.
Once it's in your blood, it's hard to get it out. I was there several months ago but didn't do the crossing due to time constraints.
Glad you had a great trip.
Reply 5 of 8
FollowupID: 526384   Submitted: Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 19:48

Member - vivien C (VIC) posted:

Footloose,

You made me think of Banjo Paterson.

"I am sitting in my dingy littlr office, where a stingy ray of sunlight...etc etc"

I am sitting in my dingy little office, with the electric light as my sun
How I wishI was out in the desert, or out on a big cattle run
Instead of the wool carpet beneath me, there'd be carpets of windflowers galore
and I'd do my washing with water, steaming fresh from an artesian bore.
I'd follow the fencelines and stock routes that make their way further out
And when I got to the Birdsville pub, well then it would be "my shout"
Durba Springs Shadows
Click Image to Enlarge
I may be justifying my pockets of chaos, but I will always choose people over perfection and the heart over task and tidy.

FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 264649   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 04:33

Member - Bucky (VIC) replied:

Well done Viv & Ray !

And a gr8 read too, looking forward to the weather picking up down in Gippsland and perhaps we can all catch up, and Yak about the Simpson..if ever I can get away from SHIFT WORK

Look forward to checking out your foto's.
It truley is a special place, one I will never forget , and I really can't wait to go back there again, but it will be after the CSR.

Cheers Mate
Bucky
I must obey !
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I must obey,, I must obey,, I must obey !
Reply 6 of 8
AnswerID: 264652   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 06:53

Members - Chris/Lindsay (VIC) replied:

We had only mild wind but ice in the tent in the morning. and -4 temp. Hope you enjoy the top end next year. Sounds like an Explore Oz Madigan line expedition might be on the cards in the next few years Viv!! Cheers, Christine.
Fear is faith in the wrong thing.
Reply 7 of 8
AnswerID: 264711   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 14:43

Mark B replied:

Hi Viv,
Thanks for the trip report - Sounds like you had a great time.
I'm planning a trip next year (April/May - exact dates to be locked in) and plan on doing something similar from Melbourne. Across and up the Birdsville track, Warburton track etc to Mt. Dare, then back east to west across to Birdsville and home via various routes.
I would be really interested in how long your trip took. And also, were you driving a diesel or petrol Prado ?
Cheers, Mark.
In the Simpson !
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In the Simpson !
Reply 8 of 8
FollowupID: 526602   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 23:38

Member - vivien C (VIC) posted:

Hello Mark,

Yes, it was a really good trip. We only had a fortnight off work so we tried to fit as much into it as possible.

We left after work Friday night and got to Wentworth
Saturday to Arkaroola, Sunday at Arkaroola
Monday to Mungeranie
Tuesday to the Rig Road -about ten kms west of the Knolls Junction
Wednesday to Purnie Bore'
Thursday we got to Mt Dare by midday and spent the rest of the day there
Friday along the French Line to between Wonga Corner and the Colson Track
Saturday to just after Jackie's Junction on the Knolls Track
Sunday from the Knolls to Birdsville.
Monday we spent cleaning up etc until mid morning in Birdsville and then got to the Arrabury Road
Tuesday from the Dig Tree, Innamincka to Cameron Corner
Wednesday morning driving around Sturt Np, Lunch near Tibooburra and then back to the Border and followed the fence
Thursday to Silverton, Broken Hill then sidetracked to Renmark
Friday out to the Border Cliffs then followed the Murray etc home by late afternoon.

I hope that helps you with your trip planning

Best wishes
Viv
Durba Springs Shadows
Click Image to Enlarge
I may be justifying my pockets of chaos, but I will always choose people over perfection and the heart over task and tidy.

FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 526634   Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 08:49

Mark B posted:

Hi Viv,
Thanks for the info - that will be very useful.
Also, is your Prado diesel or petrol - just trying to work out my planned fuel usage.
Cheers, Mark.
In the Simpson !
Click Image to Enlarge
In the Simpson !
FollowUp 2 of 2