Simpson Desert

Hi Holly,

The Simpson is a great place, are you going on your own? I would look at taking around 150 litres. If you work out your fuel economy around town, then work out how much fuel you will need for about 900kms.
This distance is 1.5 times the distance of the Simpson crossing, and therefore allows for problems if they arise.
I reckon the best bet is to go with a Tour operator, they know their stuff and should look after you well.
What state are you in?
Cheers.

Holly, Lucky you. We crossed last year in July in a 99 petrol Jackaroo. We used about 160 litres. Our route was from Oodnadatta, Hamilton Station, Pedirka Track (horribly rough track), Dalhousie, French line, Colson Track, WAA Line, Knolls, French, then QAA to Birdsville. The desert was very dry last year, mates who did it the year before, after the wet, actually used less fuel, as the sand was damp and therefore bonded. I would carry at least 180 litres for the trip to be safe.
Enjoy the magnificent desert, then you get to stay with the lovely Ruth at the Birdsville Caravan Park.
Happy trails, Mike.

Holly,

Have you looked at the Trek Notes and Trek Fuel data for the Simpson Desert on this site. Go to the Treks menu at the top and select Trek Notes. Then select the SA Deserts region and you will see 4 Simpson Desert treks, each has one or two only fuel figures (Pitty - still waiting on people submitting the information * Remember to post your Trek fuel data when you get back).

Hope this helps if you have not already seen this info.

David

Holly, We crossed the Simpson via Oodnadatta, Dalhousie and mainly the French and Qaa lines. We have a 1998 V6Prado ULP and carried 179l (Tanks plus one jerry). We travelled 700kms and used 118 litres which is 16.85l/100 or 5.93km/l. I hope this is of some use to you! I tried to add this info to the Trek Fuel notes but couldn't work out how to - any one help please?

Holly

I'm planning to do a double crossing in the July school holidays.
Have been across several times before.
Don't forget to add your fuel figures to the Trek notes when you get back.

Also, have a look at the 4WDing South Australia group at:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/4wd_out_of_adelaide

There are several simpson trip reports in the files area and fuel consumption has been discussed a few times in the messages. You have to sign up to get in, but it's free.

Holly,
We did it last year.
I used 117 litres from Oodanadatta via pedirka, dalhousie, French line, WAA line and QAA line to Birdsville.
Vehicle was a 4.2 Turbodiesel GU Patrol.
We had several different vehicles in our convoy and the best one for petrol economy was a prado (similar figures to the other reply on this thread).
Will

Hi, we did this trip in October 2002 in our 1996 3.5 dohc Pajero & averaged around 27lt/100km. Sounds like alot compared to our normal usage of 15lt/100km.
We left from Birdsville & zig zaged our way through to Dalhousie taking in sections of every track in the desert.
We had 200ltrs on board & arrived at Mt Dare with around 30 ltrs left.
So about 170 ltrs, but we did do it the long way,
hope this info helps.

Another '96 3 .5 Pajero DOHC owner; this one planning to cross this winter. Any tips from the other Paj owners? Where did you store you extra fuel?

Thanks

--
Robert