Simmo at the moment

Hi Les,

We came across the Simpson (W to E) a couple of years ago in the first week of November with the temperature at 42 degrees. But as you would realise, in any year it could be well above or below that.
As you say, it would be at least Birdsville temperature but possibly 5 degrees higher.
Incidentally, we came through the Rig Road this year and it was a pleasant change from the WAA / French Line but the flies were as bad as ever out there! Don't leave home without your fly net!

But what I really wanted to ask you was, if you go through Walker's Crossing, take a look at the bridge for me and see if there are Armco guard rails on the approaches. I know that they were on the bridge itself but believed that there were none on the approach ramps until I saw Idler Chris' photo as per Thread 130409. Set me straight for once-and-for-all mate if you can.

Have a great trip.

I think ''warm-ish'' will be a understatement , you have to remember that the temp is in the shade .

In the Desert between the dunes with no shade , it will be a hell of a lot hotter .

I was talked into going there in April one year , never again , all we could do was sit in the vehicle with the aircon flat out . The vehicles never overheated , just as well .

I did Birdsville Track 3 weeks ago, talking to Phil at Mungerannie and he had come back that afternoon from the Simmo and he said the track was chopped up very badly.

Said it had been a dry winter and lots of tourists this year, the worst he has seen it for years was his description.

G'day Les,

Just back home from a boys trip out west which included Cameron Corner, across to the Strez, up to Moomba and Walkers Crossing to Birdsvllle Track, down to Mungerannie, up to Warburton Track and then K1 to Poeppel Cnr then QAA to Birdsville and then adventures further north.

If approaching Walkers from the Sth side of Moomba roads are a breeze but directions are non existent. Walkers is in reasonable condition, same as it was 2 yrs ago, actually good nick for an outback track. Birdsville track down to Mungerannie was in my opinion good, sections ok for cruising at 100 with care others in need of roadworks which was in progress. Warburton entry (maybe 5-10 kms) rough but easy with care, Warburton from there to Rig Rd in good nick and great drive. Sorry can't tell you about Rig Rd at moment, however the main Simpson QAA very chopped up on West side but smoother on East side. Why?? Lots of guesses from what we saw out there but that's a debate for another day.
We did the Rig 2 yrs ago at the same time of year, it was a lot less travelled and as such was in good condition with soft sand crests at top of dunes due to less traffic but no whoop de doo's up the dunes.
Temps were between 40-45 and about 23-25 at night, we travelled with no air con as we prefer to experience the full desert experience, not for some I guess. It was zero humidity so very bearable, flies were a big problem this time, take some bushmans 80%deet or similar, this worked for us. We always found plenty of shade in the valleys between dunes under the trees, some valleys had none others heaps.
Hope this helps a bit, enjoy the trip. Wish I was back out there and not at work.
Simon.

Les

I look forward to hearing about it. I'm a big fan of experiencing travel at different times as it almost will always show a different perspective. Like travelling in the north during the wet season...

I've no doubt you will be well prepared.

Enjoy, Baz

What time of the year is it better to travel excluding the busiest months?

Graham

Anyway, crossing was great !!
Sure 'twas warm but stayed below estimated 45c.
Flies were a little annoying from early light until about 1000, and again from about 1500 or so (or when behind afternoon cloud), right up to virtually totally dark.
Figure between those times it was too hot for them.
Was a great crossing perfect to plan, now in cabin in Coober Pedy, tomorrow the drive home to Adelaide is a breeze.

Allan, the Walkers bridge has all railings on bridge itself and approaches.
I have pics :) will post on return to town and decent computer.

This link takes you to (hopefully) to the main Simmo TR, page 2.
Les's Oct Brissy road trip and Simmo
Start of thread includes trip Adelaide to Brisbane and Straddie, plus road trip west from Brisvegas.

Bob Y from this forum joined me on this run, great bloke :)