Simpson Desert Trip - Just Returned

Holden4th - we just came through from Birdsville track - it is all sign posted - too easy. There was a lot of traffic on it the time we came through.



A J

Walkers crossing track was surprisingly quite easy. It took us about four and half hours to drive from Innaminka to Birdsville track intersection. The track is quite distinguisable 95% of time. The most difficult track in terms of roughness/corrugations/pot holes/bull dust in the 7000kms we did was the track from Finke up to Chambers Pillar on old Ghan heritage trail. Rough as Guts.

I was calculating litres per 100km every time i refueled. Its a 3.0litre 2008 patrol. Weighs 3050 kilos with many aftermarket accesories and myself in the vehicle. With all camping gear, kids, wife the patrol was just on 3600kgs (very heavy - old man emu suspension 2 inch lift). I was getting fairly consistantly 17.5 litres per 100kms. The desert crossing i used 22 litres per 100kms. Used about 115 litres to cross simpson from Birdsville to Mt Dare. I Get about 14.5 - 15 litres 100kms normally.

I was wondering about the desert crossing fuel usage. I figured if you took 2 jerries, you would be safe. you just made it on full tanks.Well done.., Thanks for that,, Michael

I just read your blog on kids camping and we did the same thing with regards to a small back pack cable tied to the back of the front seats full of toys and things for the kids to grab things when wanted. NO in car DVD players in our car!! Our 4yo had a ball. She went to cape york for 6 weeks when she was just over 2 and she just loves camping.

Thats the way, the kids backpacks in the car like you said works a treat, we don't have a DVD player in our car either. Too much to see in this amazing country!! Happy Camping where ever you go!!