alice springs and simpson desert

I suggest that you already have more on your list than is desirable for a 6 week trip.
Leave some slack in the plan for the unexpected treat.....

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Justin .

Sounds achievable to me .
But you won't have much time for many additional spots .
Cheers

Check out Chamber's Pillar on the way to Mt Dare. My advice is to not have a set itinerary, just a list of places that you tick off. If you run short of time, just start at the next one on the next trip. Don't fly through them just to get the box ticked. Often you find places that are really nice that you might want to spend more time at that weren't even on your list. For instance, it's a really nice place out west of Alice in the ranges. Palm Valley is beautiful and probably not on your list. Have a nice trip.

Hi Justin, if you are crossing the Simpson, you will see Popells corner. If you head east out of Birdsville, don’t forget to stop at the Betoota Pub, and then if you take the Planet Downs Road you will be able to stop at Haddon Corner on your way down to Innaminka & the Bourke & Wills Dig Tree. Then you can take the Strezlecki track to Cameron Corner. You will then have ticked off three state boundary corners.

After Cameron Corner, you head for Tibooburra, and on to Broken Hill before going down to Mungo.

Macca.

G'day Justin : presuming you are coming from Sydney area I would suggest doing the Flinders on the way up ,then Oodnadatta track back out to Stuart Highway then out to the rock , then on to Alice Springs where there is any amount of adventures between Yulara and Alice Springs.
I would suggest some good research in to Alice Springs area to see what you would like to explore , there is so many things to see .
You haven't said if you are travelling alone or in a party nor your experience in outback travel in regards to crossing the Simpson Desert .
I do think that 6 weeks is adequate time for this trip but i would do the main places you want to see on the way up so so you don't run out of time . Google says 30 hours from Sydney to Alice Springs , that's about 2 weeks out of your planned schedule leaving approximately another 4 weeks 4 adventures .
This website has any amount of information for your trip scroll to the bottom of the page for more info cluding a very detailed map of places good luck and good travels

If you're around Alice, "The Rock" is probably a must see but I think you'll find Kata Tjuta far more satisfying and attractive. Also approx 110 meters higher than "the Rock". Walk the Valley of the Winds.
The West McDonald ranges out to Glen Helen is a great days drive with fantastic gorges and swimming holes. Visit Bo Jangles pub in Alice for a real experience.
The Simpson is an easy 4 days drive with plenty of traffic so no need to be worried about being stuck by yourself.

There's been no mention of Kings Canon, which to me is more impressive than the rock.
baz

Don't forget Palm Valley (lovely in the late afternoon and a great camp ground ) on the way to Hermansberg from Alice, and the Painted Desert where you turn off just before the Pink Roadhouse heading north west.

To me
The olde Telegraph station just on the outskirts of alice was worth a look.
Arvo time of day the color change was pretty good and plenty of walking tracks.
We biked it as i was working in the town for a period of time.
Very nice scenery.
Its really very very close to town.
But everything is sprawled out.
Which i didnt mind.
Another was a good couple hours climb to the towns outlook.
Took some energy and fitness.
If you do it.
Allow 2hrs or more at least and some water.
Great views.
See for miles

Sounds like an exciting trip and you are doing the right thing by thinking about it well in advance.

The caution I would offer is that you need to determine what is the “main” objective of your trip, and in your case it looks to be a trip to the centre and back across the Simpson Desert.

When travelling large distances to reach the starting point you will most likely pass many opportunities to “detour”, and before you know it you’ve included way too much for the time allowed.

There have been many good suggestions of things to see in other responses, just remember, your time-frame is only 6-weeks – many of those other regions suggested, eg Flinders Ranges are trips in their own right, if you are to do them properly without just racing through and seeing little...

Enjoy…

Cheers, Baz – The Landy