Simpson Desert ....another way

Not sure about state of track in 2004 but did it over two years ago in 1991 Triton TD ute solo travelling light but with plenty of water & fuel & food.
Bit of a cruise except when I was in the wrong gear 3 parts of way up a couple of sandhills. Took 71 litres for the 600 odd kms( I think that correct) from Oodnadatta to Birdsville but had to wait often for the Chamberlain Tractor Club on their east-west crossing to dig out of their bogs & fill in holes made by their big lugged tyres.
After rains the desert was a mass of flowers and a number of flats between the hills were small lakes which some skirted & others charged thru.
As I was solo I skirted most & only did the trip after seeing that there was enough traffic each day to ensure that help would not be far away if needed. No flats, no troubles, just tranquility & not too much rush.
The museum at Birdsville is a MUST SEE particularly the guided tour which shows & demonstrates stuff of a bygone era that 99.99% of people have never seen! Have fun.

Hello AndrewX............we did that offroad Simspon trek in a 1986 Suzuki 1.3JX as pictured in the article. I don't think that I would like to do it in the old Nissan though...might nbe a trifle too bouncy.
Willem

Googs Lake camp

Hi John...I am working on other stories as well and there are a number of croc experiences in there. But it will be a while before I get them done.

Cheers,
Willem

Googs Lake camp

Now that you have read the account maybe you should drive it too. Just don't write about it as it is no big deal......but then again, maybe you should stick to formed tracks and not take on anything risky.
Willem

Googs Lake camp

Hello Willem I have crossed the Simpson Desert and I stick to my comment that it's no big deal. Sure it takes a bit of planning and preparation but so does a day at the beach! Many many people do it with very few problems. I think it's a great trip but the challenge is mainly planning the food and water to be carried and not the actual 4wding. Maybe my vehicle is a bit bigger and more able to handle the conditions - on thinking about it it would be a lot more challenging and dangerous in a little Suzuki so maybe you were right to arrange SAR times etc even if they didn't take you seriously. Cheers!

As you say access is becoming more and more difficult due to indigenous land access.....I am pleased that we took the opportunity when it presented itself and have accessed some wonderful parts of Australia over the past 20 years. I raed however in a recent Magazine that a party, including Ron and Viv Moon, have just traversed some of that country so there is still some access to be had. I still have to drive the full length of the French line as I have only done the section west of the Colson Track and east of 27km west of Poepple Corner.Willem

Googs Lake camp

Hello Ruth...Yes, I was hoping to fit in a trip up to Coongie Lakes before the big rush this yearmaybe in April but it depends on all sorts of factors which may or may not take place plus I have to go to for an op in July. You never know.......also looking at buying a newer vehicle before I set off on any major trek.

Yes, there are still some places I have to see. Had Cape York planned for last year but another op put paid to that adventure. But I will get there. Hopefully 2005 will see me in the bush for most of the year.

Cheers,
Willem

Googs Lake camp