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Simpson Desert Rig Road

Difficulty: Trek rating 4 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 4 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 4 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 4 of 5 - Click for details   Suitable for: 4WD Bike 
The Rig Road is the most southern access across the Simpson Desert. It is a longer route because it winds along the edge of dunes and crosses at the lowest points. Old clay-topped track is now eroding, but was once used for moving heavy equipment.
StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesBirdsville Tk & Yelpawaralinna-Warburton Tk
FinishDalhousie Springs
Distance484.58 kmMinimum Days3
Average Speed46.75 km/hrDriving Time10 hours 21 mins
Article By: ExplorOz Team   Updated: 17 Sep 2009
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 Description

The Rig Road crosses the southern part of the Simpson Desert and was once capped by clay to make access easier for heavy drilling and earth moving equipment that was transported along this road between oil wells during the early 1960's.

It has never been maintained since that time and with regular 4WD traffic each season and some heavy rainfalls in recent years, this track is beginning to show signs of significant disrepair from erosion.
Experiencing the Rig Road is the way to see another part of the Simpson Desert as it is quite different to what you see in the north.

Along the lowest sections near the Warbuton Crossing there are numerous salt lakes and long dunes of stark white changing to yellow and gradually they become red as you move further north.

To pick up the start of the Rig Road from the east side of the desert, you can drive either the Inside Track down from Birdsville or the main Birdsville Track to a point 11km south of the Clifton Hills Station. If you drive the Inside Track then continue on for 14km after rejoining the Birdsville Track. The turnoff you're looking for is actually called the Yelpawaralina Track (YLP) and it is on the right (west).

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Simpson Desert Rig Road Help

From: Birdsville Tk & Yelpawaralinna-Warburton Tk
To: Dalhousie Springs

Distance: 484.58 km
Direction: 282 °
Average Speed: 46.75 km/hr
Travel Time: 10 hours 21 mins

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 Permits

You will need a Desert Parks Pass which is a permit that covers all access and camping. It is advisable to arrange this permit well in advance as it contains specific and comprehensive travel planning information, including a set of maps and booklets. Desert Park Passes can NOT be forward dated. This means, they have to be dated with the date they are purchased. ExplorOz are agents for the sale of the Desert Parks Pass. Desert Parks Pass - see Related Shop Items below.

 Things to See & Do

Purnie Bore - SA   RatingRatingRatingRatingRating
Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Camp Free
Purnie Bore was sunk by teams during the oil exploration years of the Simpson Desert. As the years went by, leaks in the bore caused a substantial amount of hot water to surface and develop into a sizeable lake. Conservationists determined that salty water from an ever increasing water body has the potential to change the native habitat.
Dalhousie Springs - SA   RatingRatingRatingRatingRating
Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Rubbish Bin,Tip Toilet Camp Free
These hot, fresh water springs are very unique and are an outlet from the Great Artesian Basin. It is the largest known springs and the main spring offers a nice soothing swim for travellers after a hard day’s drive. Since the late 1990s, new camping facilities have provided a nice area to camp and relax within the Witjira National Park.
Lone Gum Tree - SA   
Historic and Landmark Trees Camp Free Point of Interest
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Macumba Oil Well (Abandoned) - SA   
Point of Interest 
Macumba Oil Well
Camels, Salt Lakes, Yellow-White Dunes, Clay-topped roads, abandoned oil exploration sites, the Lone Gum Tree, Mokari Airstrip and Pecanek's Grave, wild camels and remote desert country

 Preparation

Your vehicle will need to be extensively prepared for remote area travel, with all fuel, water, food and vehicle repair equipment and spare parts. All travellers should read the 4WDriving Topic for related articles and checklists for vehicle setup and driver awareness.

All drivers should set their UHF radios to scan all stations, but take note that Channel 10 is the offical channel for the Simspon Desert. Anywhere in the Diamantina Shire (comprising the towns of Birdsville, Betoota and Bedourie) you must not used UHF Ch 8 and 38 as these are to be reserved for emergency calls only - these channels are monitored by the Clinics, Police and station operators and must remain clear. We advise that you refer to the latest information and advice about outback communications in the Communications Topic.

For any dune driving you should fly a dune flag from the front of your vehicle to avoid head on collisions on dune tops. Additionally, the lead vehicle in any direction should periodically make calls on Channel 10 from the top of large dunes on the UHF radio to advise oncoming traffic of your position.

Please take particular note that the Desert Parks Department strongly disapprove of trailers being towed across the Simpson Desert. Travellers are advised to drop off trailers and conduct a loop trip or a double-crossing to retrieve the trailer later.

Fuel Supplies & Usage

Fuel Symbol Diesel4cyl 59 litres * ULP4cyl 78 litres LPG4cyl 97 litres
6cyl 76 litres *6cyl 89 litres *6cyl 85 litres
8cyl 76 litres8cyl 109 litres *
Usage is averaged from TrekFuel (* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.
Birdsville, Maree, Mt Dare, Oodnadatta

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Oodnadatta Airport
Distance from Trek Mid Point 190.28km SW
 JanFebMarAprMayJun JulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C 37.736.633.728.5 23.219.919.522.0 26.530.233.836.4
Mean Min. °C 22.822.319.214.4 9.86.65.87.4 11.415.018.521.2
Mean Rain mm 24.632.212.311.2 12.812.610.57.8 9.314.111.316.5
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended
Birdsville, Maree, Mt Dare (limited), Oodnadatta (limited)

 Camp Sites & Accommodation

Purnie Bore - SA   RatingRatingRatingRatingRating
Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Camp Free
Purnie Bore was sunk by teams during the oil exploration years of the Simpson Desert. As the years went by, leaks in the bore caused a substantial amount of hot water to surface and develop into a sizeable lake. Conservationists determined that salty water from an ever increasing water body has the potential to change the native habitat.
Dalhousie Springs - SA   RatingRatingRatingRatingRating
Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Rubbish Bin,Tip Toilet Camp Free
These hot, fresh water springs are very unique and are an outlet from the Great Artesian Basin. It is the largest known springs and the main spring offers a nice soothing swim for travellers after a hard day’s drive. Since the late 1990s, new camping facilities have provided a nice area to camp and relax within the Witjira National Park.
Lone Gum Tree - SA   
Historic and Landmark Trees Camp Free Point of Interest
No description entered. Enter description or photos.

 Environment

The Simpson Desert is the driest region of Australia and it is a dunal desert - a sea of parallel red sand ridges around 300-500 kilometres long covering a total area of 170,000 square kilometres. The South Australian section of the Simpson Desert is divided into 3 protected areas, Simpson Desert Conservation Park, Simpson Desert Regional Reserve and Witjira National Park managed by the South Australian Desert Parks department of the SA Department of Environment and Heritage. A permit (the SA Desert Parks Pass) is required for all travel and camping. Rains normally occur in the heat of summer (late December through to early early March), although floods have been known to remain as late as July. Each season is different and you must plan your trip by keeping an eye on weather conditions and road reports .

There are numerous salt pans and lakes throughout the Simpson Desert and these can flood after rains and close the desert to vehicle traffic. Camping around the salt lake areas near the Erabena Track Junction/French Line is most rewarding because the gidgee woodlands provide shade, shelter and soft ground for camping. There are increased wildlife viewing possibilities and you'll see great colours over the lakes at sunset.

Flora

The majority of the plant life you'll see is spinifex and upside down trees! Desert vegetation depends on seasonal conditions. In particular after rain the Simpson puts on an incredible show of desert wildflowers including billy buttons, poached egg daises, cunningham bird flower. Most are short lived, and during the peak travel season most people have missed their chance of seeing the desert in bloom.

Fauna

Of all the wildlife you'll encounter in the Simpson Desert, you'll become the most acquainted with the bush fly - annoying but thankfully gone after sundown. " Eagles" are the most commonly seen of the birds in the desert area although there are some 150 different species of birdlife including the Bustard, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Brown Falcon, budgerigar and Zebra Finch. Around the floodplains you could see Black Kites, Crested Pigeons and Galahs. Many creatures are nocturnal, so they are not easily seen or photographed. These include small marsupials but there are also some feral animals such as rabbits, foxes, camels and donkeys. Dingoes and camels are very common throughout the Simpson with the highest population of camels being in the southern parts so the Rig Road is the best place to spot them. If you get out of your vehicle during the day you might see some reptiles such the Perentie (goanna), Western Brown Snake, Woma Python and the Banded Skink.

 Driving Directions

Time
Direction
Distance
Birdsville Tk & Yelpawaralinna-Warburton Tk to Simpson Desert Regional Reserve, Eastern Boundary 60.97 km W 278° 1 hr
Simpson Desert Regional Reserve, Eastern Boundary to Rig Road & K1 Line/Warburton Tk 42.18 km N 341° 51 min
Rig Road & K1 Line/Warburton Tk to Rig Road & Simpson Desert CP Access 38.61 km NW 303° 40 min
Rig Road & Simpson Desert CP Access to Poolowanna Oil Well (Abandoned) 61.83 km W 292° 1 hr 15 min
Poolowanna Oil Well (Abandoned) to Rig Road & Knolls Tk 4.54 km N 342° 5 min
Rig Road & Knolls Tk to Rig Road & Erabena Tk 33.25 km W 261° 51 min
Rig Road & Erabena Tk to Lone Gum Tree 7.25 km S 168° 11 min
Lone Gum Tree to Rig Road & Erabena Tk 10.33 km S 161° 14 min
Rig Road & Erabena Tk to Macumba Oil Well (Abandoned) 67.11 km W 285° 1 hr 45 min
Macumba Oil Well (Abandoned) to Georges Corner, WAA Line & Rig Road 13.6 km NW 335° 12 min
Georges Corner, WAA Line & Rig Road to WAA Line & Rig Road 0.24 km E 70° 3 min
WAA Line & Rig Road to WAA Line & Glen Joyce Oil Well Access 27.22 km W 271° 43 min
WAA Line & Glen Joyce Oil Well Access to Mokari Oil Well & Airstrip 8.15 km W 270° 12 min
Mokari Oil Well & Airstrip to French Line & Rig Road 12.3 km NW 329° 13 min
French Line & Rig Road to Purnie Bore 27.68 km W 258° 35 min
Purnie Bore to French Line & Alka Seltzer Bore Access 10.72 km W 258° 12 min
French Line & Alka Seltzer Bore Access to Freeth Junction 8.31 km SW 238° 8 min
Freeth Junction to Lookout on Rig Rd 30.94 km W 253° 32 min
Lookout on Rig Rd to Dalhousie Springs 19.35 km W 266° 21 min
Birdsville Tk & Yelpawaralinna-Warburton Tk to Dalhousie Springs 484.58 km     10 hr 21 min
Distance is GPS recorded driving distance (not straight line), Direction is straight line from start to end, Time is calculated from actual GPS driving data.

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Simpson Desert Rig Road

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What Others have Said

Latest 2 of 2

Robin Miller : 17 Sep 09 12:04
Going east-west on the lower Rig rd after a sand blow just mig...
troyza : 24 Aug 09 14:55
Hi all, not even sure about the spelling........ but does anyone kno...

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