Time allowance for driving the Simpson Desert
Submitted: Thursday, Apr 18, 2013 at 08:17
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Member - Kiwibound eventually
We would like some advice please. We have a 2010 Nissan Patrol and have completed many of the Victorian High country tracks, the OTT in
Cape York and during our figure eight lap of Australia over eighteen months took the chance to go to as many
places as possible. However, we have never travelled any of the desert tracks and think it is time to change that.
We will be travelling from
Melbourne leaving late May and have thirteen days before we have a commitment in Townsville. Do we have sufficient time to complete the
Simpson Desert? What would be the recommended route?
We are a couple in our early 60's, In good health, have a Black Wolf tent and will be travelling on our own.
Thank you for your assistance.
Reply By: traveln round - Thursday, Apr 18, 2013 at 08:33
Thursday, Apr 18, 2013 at 08:33
Hi peter and gill
Been across 3 times and its great.have done east -west and west - east.its good fun.
Its easyer going from west to east as hills arnt as steep.many ways you can go.most just go straight across.i guess going there you should look at the lone gum and go to the corner etc.
On average 3-4days is ample from delhousie to big red.there are something like 1200 sandhills so should be a couple to
test the skill.
Last time we went across was just after it open from all the floods couple yrs ago and took couple days extra due to all the bypasses.some people get out there and want to leave.the clear nights and stars is picture perfect.just take your own wood as theres not alot out there and it does get realy cold at night.dont forget ta desert pass aswell.
Im doing the cape this year in august so any info you can give me on that would be nice.
Simpson is far more better shorter and more fun in my
views then the canning
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Reply By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Apr 18, 2013 at 08:44
Thursday, Apr 18, 2013 at 08:44
Most only take 2 nights camping in the actual dessert Kiwi.
If its first time and solo , I would go to Mt Dare and across to
Birdsville.
We usually go ->
Leave
Melbourne 4am arrive PT
Augusta 4pm (fuel and cheap motel $69)
Leave PT
Augusta 6am (thats when McDonalds open for a cappicino).
Arrive
Pink Roadhouse (and
camp) 4Pm via fill up at
Coober Pedy.
Next day arrive MT Dare about 1pm and take it easy.
Leave MT Dare 8am arrive Dalhousie early and play around rest of day - posibly
camp there although its been made a bit unpleasant by the rules these days - so its good to push on a bit and
camp off the track.
Next day get to French Colson
junction (early)
camp there and maybe explore a bit.
Next day get to
Poeppel corner and
camp a few km east of it to set yourself up for the next days run to
Birdsville.
The above means you
camp at
Birdsville on the 6th night out of
Melbourne.
You can also
free camp along that whole route (need dessert parks pass for S.A. only bit)
AnswerID:
509244
Follow Up By: Ozrover - Thursday, Apr 18, 2013 at 08:52
Thursday, Apr 18, 2013 at 08:52
What Robin said!!! :)
To cross the
Simpson Desert From Mt Dare to
Birdsville via the French line, it takes approx. 24 hours driving time.
You can break that up into 3 x 8 hour days, 2 nights but don't feel that you have to do it that quick, take your time & enjoy the experience.
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Reply By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Thursday, Apr 18, 2013 at 11:51
Thursday, Apr 18, 2013 at 11:51
We camped for three nights actually in the Simpson. Stopped for photo shoots, cuppas and snacks and several times to just stop, look and listen.
Solo vehicle crossing. Purnie
Bore down to the WAA line, across to Lone Gum, Up knolls Track to the French line and out to
Birdsville on the QAA line. Easy gentle drive but mind you we have a
well prepared and maintained car and two skilled drivers. Tyres down and up as required.
All four days from Mt Dare to
Birdsville.
We want to go back and will do a solo run again.
Photo: First morning about 7AM near western end of WAA line. The boss is still in bed and I have been up for years. Geo: 26°19'14.00"S 136°44'16.00"E
Phil
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Ozhumvee - Thursday, Apr 18, 2013 at 12:31
Thursday, Apr 18, 2013 at 12:31
Take your time and enjoy the country, you've spent a heap on the vehicle, food and supplies so why rush if you don't have to.
Last year on our 27th Simpson trip we took ten days from
Birdsville to Mt Dare, take the time to
camp in a swale for a few days and you will be amazed at what you will see on walks away from the track and vehicle.
If leaving camp/vehicle/track on foot ALWAYS take a GPS, handheld CB, spare batteries for both, water and a museli bar or two as it is very easy to get lost once you are out of sight as the dunes merge and split and make things confusing sometimes.
AnswerID:
509252
Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Thursday, Apr 18, 2013 at 13:01
Thursday, Apr 18, 2013 at 13:01
I'm with Peter - don't rush the
Simpson Desert. For us, its all about the destination, not the driving.
Can I suggest the following which will give you the best of everything
Day 1: Melb to
burra or somewhere nearby
Day 2 :
Burra to
Farina (
ruins, great camping, birds)
Day 3:
Farina to
William Creek (via the many artesian springs, lake eyre south, pub dinner)
Day 4:
William Creek to
Algebuckina Waterhole (on Neales River) via
Peake Telegraph Station
ruins (might be an early day)
Day 5: Algebuckina to
Eringa waterhole (magic campspot at the
ruins of Sidney Kidman's first station). Top up supplies at
Oodnadatta roadhouse.
Day 6: Eringa to Dalhousie Springs via Mt Dare (refuel and top up supplies)
Day 7: Dalhousie to WAA Line somewhere
Day 8: WAA Line to somewhere else (eg
Lone Gum tree)
Day 9: Knolls Track/French Line to west end of QAA Line (nice gidgee)
Day 10: to
Birdsville by lunchtime and have a look around, wash, pub etc
Day 11,12,13: 3 days to get to Townsville via Damantina NP and
Winton.
Cheers
Phil
AnswerID:
509253
Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Thursday, Apr 18, 2013 at 18:11
Thursday, Apr 18, 2013 at 18:11
Excellent itinerary Phil, I would just add an extra day for Diamantina. Why rush when there are so many wonderful things to see.
Cheers,
Val
| J and V
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Follow Up By: Greenleader 13 - Thursday, Apr 18, 2013 at 19:04
Thursday, Apr 18, 2013 at 19:04
Hi
Have done this trip myself a coupla times except back to Melb after
Birdsville, can do it comfortably with 4 or 5 days in the desert
Good drinking
Greenleader 13
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Reply By: Member - Kiwibound eventually - Thursday, Apr 18, 2013 at 17:09
Thursday, Apr 18, 2013 at 17:09
Thank you so much to everyone for taking the time to share your advice and experience. It is so helpful to us and we now feel confident to proceed and make plans to make this trip. We really appreciate your help.
AnswerID:
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