simpson desert direction
Submitted: Tuesday, Feb 17, 2004 at 23:46
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Bob N
which is the best way to travel across the simpson in june/july
east to west or west to east
Reply By: Wayne (NSW) - Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 00:01
Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 00:01
West to East and probably the
Rig road. The dunes are not as steep on the western side, and the
Birdsville pub is a great place to finish such a good trip.
WayneAlways Out'N About
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Reply By: Crackles - Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 00:14
Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 00:14
Bob, the dunes are generally steeper on the East side so the majority of travellers come from Dalhousie thinking it's easier. The main problem they have is too many people don't let their tyres down and dig holes on the approach to the bigger dunes
making it pretty rough as they power over. Coming from
Birdsville it may be steeper but it's noticably smoother and I've found it often easier on the car and it's occupants. The down side to going that way (especially at that busy time of the year) is there's alot of oncoming traffic to dodge.
In the end it doesn't really matter which way you go. You only have to decide weather you want to finish the desert crossing at a pub or a hot spring. You can't lose!
We couldn't decide which way to go this year as
well so we're doing a double crossing. Watch out for a big convoy of Landcruisers. Might see you there.
Craig.........................
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Follow Up By: duncs - Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 00:27
Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 00:27
Another consideration is the sun. Travelling east to west it is in your eyes all afternoon as you climb dunes. Travelling west to east it is behind you.
You do spend more of the afternoon driving than you do of hte morning. If you add to that the problems of oncoming traffic then it could be a consideration. Not sure about this just raising the question.
One last thing. I was surprised at how far into the desert you are at Dalhousie. I would not consider that the end of the trek even though you are out of the dune country. Plenty could happen between there and civilisation. Gong the other way you can relax when you get to the pub.
Duncs
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Follow Up By: Wayne (NSW) - Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 00:28
Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 00:28
Crackles, when are you going. I should be at
Dalhousie Springs 9th July heading east.
WayneAlways Out'N About
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Follow Up By: Crackles - Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 17:41
Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 17:41
Wayne, we plan to leave
Birdsville on the 5th of July possibly camping at Dalhousie on the 8th and 9th then looping up to
old Andado, before we zigzag our way back again so there is a good chance we'll bump into each other. If I spot your car I'll say gaday.
We had hoped to take the
Rig road out through Clifton Hills but with all this water coming down the Diamantina I expect it may be closed. Any one have knowledge of what the water is likely to block off by July?
Would the track from the
Rig road to the
Inside track (east of Goyder Lagoon) be open by then?
Craig..............................
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Follow Up By: Member - Ruth D (QLD) - Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 18:45
Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 18:45
Duncs, it's a sure bet if the
Inside Track is closed the
Warburton at the bottom of the K1 will be also, but, you are talking July - if this weather keeps up the water will just evaporate anyhow. Should be ok.These are Diamantina Barra
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Reply By: Member - Ruth D (QLD) - Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 10:27
Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 10:27
Duncs, this is a very good point you raise here.These are Diamantina Barra
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Follow Up By: Member -Bob & Lex (Sydney) - Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 15:57
Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 15:57
Are they the current catch Ruth?Regards Bob
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Follow Up By: Member - Ruth D (QLD) - Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 18:47
Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 18:47
Sorry Bob - we ate the most recent catch. These were last October in about half an hour. If the waters at the same depth when you get here will show you how - will go to another fishing spot otherwise. This above spot is quite funny to watch.These are Diamantina Barra
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Follow Up By: Member - Ruth D (QLD) - Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 18:48
Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 18:48
Bob, you want some biggish hooks, good breaking strain and some frozen green prawns (not really big ones). ok?These are Diamantina Barra
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Follow Up By: Member -Bob & Lex (Sydney) - Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 19:52
Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 19:52
Thanks RuthRegards Bob
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Reply By: Mike - Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 10:58
Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 10:58
Yeh! Yeh! While I agree with all of the above, especially about the pub, the main reason to traval west to east, is that while relaxing and recovering, you have the added bonus of Ruth's hospitality. That's gotta be a good eneough reason.
Happy trails, Mike.
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Follow Up By: Member - Ruth D (QLD) - Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 18:42
Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at 18:42
Oh you cheeky devil you, Happy Trails. You've made me blush. I don't care which way I travel as long as I can get out there. But, (never start a sentence with a preposition) if I was a traveller I would want to go west to east and if it was my first time I would want to do the FL and then I would want to go back and do up and down the others - I really don't personally think the
Rig Road is as nice.These are Diamantina Barra
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