Simpson Desert

Submitted: Monday, Feb 20, 2006 at 13:04
ThreadID: 30954 Views:1744 Replies:5 FollowUps:3
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I'm planning a crossing of the Simpson from the Oodnadatta end to Birdsville. What is the best route from Oodnadatta - direct to Freeth Junction or through Hamilton & Dalhousie Springs. What sort of shape are these tracks in?

Ian (Brisbane)
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Reply By: Darian (SA) - Monday, Feb 20, 2006 at 13:21

Monday, Feb 20, 2006 at 13:21
Sounds like the direct route you mention to Freeth is the Rocks rd from Oodnandatta - if so, that's on Macumba station and permission is not granted to anyone by Kidmans for anything other than real emergencies. We are talking "life and limb" - vehicle breakdowns are not in the picture for them. The management are quite particular on this subject. The local cops have a part to play in the equation too.
AnswerID: 155981

Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Monday, Feb 20, 2006 at 15:21

Monday, Feb 20, 2006 at 15:21
Just continuing on from Darian............most people travel north to Hamilton Station (dirt highway) and then east to Dalhousie on the Pedirka track (bit rough and stony).

The other way is up to Mt Dare (if fuel is an issue), then down to Dalhousie - pretty corrugated after Hamilton station.

Cheers
Phil
AnswerID: 155995

Reply By: Member - David 0- Monday, Feb 20, 2006 at 16:03

Monday, Feb 20, 2006 at 16:03
Yes the local cops will definitely throw the book at you if you go from Oodnadatta to Freeth junction. I don't know how accurate this statement is but I am told, if you breakdown on that track, you can expect a bill for about $4000 for recovery and another $4000 in fines.

AnswerID: 156012

Reply By: Rock Crawler - Monday, Feb 20, 2006 at 19:05

Monday, Feb 20, 2006 at 19:05
ROAD CCCONDITTTTION , OKKK I guesss , I UUSEE TO TIPEEE WELLLL BeFORE MY TRIPPPPP... lol corrugations as far as the eye can see lol ,, have fun you will love it
AnswerID: 156077

Follow Up By: Richard - Monday, Feb 20, 2006 at 19:54

Monday, Feb 20, 2006 at 19:54
Went in via Pedirka track to Dalhousie last year and agree it was pretty chopped up and corrugated. A bit of everything.
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FollowupID: 410105

Follow Up By: Willem - Monday, Feb 20, 2006 at 19:57

Monday, Feb 20, 2006 at 19:57
Go HARD or Go HOME LOLOLOLOL

PS. Watch out for them cattle grids, eh?
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FollowupID: 410106

Follow Up By: Rock Crawler - Monday, Feb 20, 2006 at 21:31

Monday, Feb 20, 2006 at 21:31
hahaaha > I still dont forgive Tony for throwing that shocker in the bin. Amazing what a arc welder can do in the bush lol .
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FollowupID: 410143

Reply By: Darian (SA) - Monday, Feb 20, 2006 at 21:40

Monday, Feb 20, 2006 at 21:40
Yep - should have added (as did Phil) the road to Hamilton and Pedirka is straight forward (in bush terms - barring recent rain of course) - same via Mt Dare. I'm a staffer at VKS737 - we got a letter from Kidmans couple of years back asking us to publish it on the site (we did) - they wanted everyone to know that if travellers are stranded in parts of the Simpson waiting for the roads to dry out..... they can keep waiting ! .......the Rocks Rd is not an option. What this means is that Kidmans don't make money from tourists. After putting up with us lot, a lot more outbackers would say the same if they didn't need our $ I guess.
AnswerID: 156126

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