Location of Big Red
From
Birdsville, 30.1kms W (37.3kms, 45mins driving)
From
Innamincka, 266.44kms NW (547kms, 9hrs 31mins driving)
From
Boulia, 340.95kms S (418kms, 5hrs 34mins driving)
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Description of Big Red
Big Red, also known by its aboriginal name as Nappamerri, is a huge sand dune in
the Simpson Desert that stands approximately 90 metres above sea level and 35 metres above the plain, although height may vary due to winds and dunal movement. This sand dune which sits 33kms west of
Birdsville in
Queensland, provides an extremely challenging feat for 4WD enthusiasts although it is not necessary to scale its height to traverse the Simspon Desert as there are alternative routes.
When heading out into
the Simpson Desert NP from
Birdsville, Big Red is the first and highest of over 1,100 sand dunes that run north-south for hundreds of kilometres. This landscape is dominated by parallel, wind-blown sand dunes ranging from a few metres to 20 metres high. The striking colours and the huge expanse of arid landscapes are some of the reasons why many visitors are attracted to the area.
Images of Big Red
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Weather & Climate for Big Red
Closest Weather Station
Birdsville at 12:00 21 Nov EST
Distance from Big Red 29.47km E
| Temperature | Feels Like | Rel. Humidity | Dew Point | Pressure | Rainfall | Wind Direction | Wind Speed | Gusts |
|---|
| 37.5°C |
33.7°C |
24% |
13.5°C |
1004.3hPa |
0.0mm |
SE |
26km/h
14knots |
35km/h
19knots |
Closest Climatic Station
Moomba Airport
Distance from Big Red 271.45km SE
| | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun |
Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Mean Max. °C |
38.3 | 37.0 | 34.0 | 29.2 |
23.5 | 20.1 | 19.4 | 22.5 |
27.4 | 29.9 | 34.1 | 36.4 |
| Mean Min. °C |
24.5 | 23.8 | 20.5 | 15.9 |
10.8 | 7.5 | 6.6 | 8.4 |
12.7 | 15.8 | 19.5 | 22.2 |
| Mean Rain mm |
16.9 | 25.3 | 10.8 | 7.8 |
10.8 | 11.3 | 18.7 | 4.8 |
14.4 | 11.8 | 13.0 | 16.1 |
What Others Say about Big Red
Treks passing Big Red
Hay River
Suitable only to 4WDers with a strong sense of adventure and experience in remote desert travel. This track is largely unmarked and good map-reading skills are essential.
[Feature Story]
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.
Simpson Desert French Line
The French Line is the most direct route across the desert and traverses directly across the tops of over 1200 red sand dunes, with Big Red being the major challenge.
Simpson Desert WAA Line
This track is similar to the French Line and although it has smaller dunes, it is very picturesque especially after rain. While in this area take a look at the Knolls, which is a scenic but fragile part of the Simpson so please stay on the track.
Simpson Desert via Geosurveys Hill
From the stone workings of our ancient aboriginal past to the routes undertaken for the old oil exploration surveys, this very remote one-way trek starting at Mount Dare to Birdsville is for experienced desert travellers ONLY.
Recommended Reading for Big Red
Natmap Digital Maps 2008
NATMAP Digital Maps 2008 is the next generation of Geoscience Australia's popular NATMAP Raster 1:250 000 scale topographic digital maps.
NATMAP Digital Maps 2008 are exact digital copies of Geoscience Australia's NATMAP topographic maps. They cover the whole of Australia at 1:250 000 scale, and are current to 2006.
SG5405 Birdsville
This 1:250K topographic paper map covers an area about 150km from east to west and 110km from north to south (1.5 degrees longitude by 1 degree latitude). The map contains natural and constructed features including road and rail infrastructure, vegetation, hydrography, contours (interval 50m), localities and some administrative boundaries.
Australia Aus Tour DVD
A must have for the long distance explorer. Here, Memory-Map teams up with Hema to bring you their acclaimed 4WD and regional maps together with 13 interactive Map Guides.The Map-Guides provide great information on each region, bushwalking, campsites and 4x4 tracks with text and photos.
QLD Topo DVD
The ultimate 4WD, bushwalking, hunting & outdoor companion. Includes a comprehensive selection of maps and map data for QLD, in addition to Memory-Map's extensive feature set. Chances are you'll never need to buy another bush map of anywhere in Queensland again.
The Plenty and Sandover Highways
The Plenty & Sandover Highways allow the most direct access from Alice Springs to Boulia, Mt Isa and other parts of western Queensland.
Simpson Desert Trip Planning Map
This is the revised Simpson Desert Map designed for Trip Planning use. On one side is the map containing GPS points, whilst on the other is information about each point of interest, track information and services available.
Birdsville & Strzelecki Tracks
This magnificent area of outback Australia stretches from Betoota in the north, through Birdsville and south to Marree. The map also covers routes from Birdsville to Innamincka and Cameron Corner to Tibooburra in NSW, a popular entry point to this region north of Broken Hill.
Diamantina Lakes
This map covers the Birdsville - Boulia - Winton - Longreach - Windorah area.
The map is clear with symbols refering to textual information provided on the back of the map explaining each point of interest, surrounding flora and fauna.
