Simpson French Line or WAA Line ???
Submitted: Friday, Oct 10, 2003 at 21:34
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Cameron
We are planning a trip thru the Simpson in June/July next year and are after feed back on the French Line and the the WAA Line. I am not interested in conditions, more on scenery. We plan to spend 4 -5 nights in the desert and am particularly intereseted in comments from people that have travelled both routes. Any "good" spots, any must sees, etc. Most of the comments on file I browsed talk more on contions and trailers, conditions are what they are, rain may or may not fall, the wind will blow and nights will be cold.
Thanks
Reply By: Mick - Friday, Oct 10, 2003 at 22:03
Friday, Oct 10, 2003 at 22:03
Cameron there are about 1100 dunes in the Simpson. They get higher as you travel east. There is not great variation in scenery, just one dune after another. Variations occur according to conditions. When we went through there had been rain so we saw more green than usual as we neared Eyre Creek. Frankly I don't think you go to a desert for scenery nbut rather an appreciation of the vast expanses of sand and scrub and the feeling of isolation! You will enjoy it - it's a bit of a challenge - not so much the driving but the planning and preparation, but the scenery is not a major part of it.
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Reply By: Member - Al Symers (SA) - Friday, Oct 10, 2003 at 22:32
Friday, Oct 10, 2003 at 22:32
Cameron, Went down the
Rig Road,Waa line, Knolls Track and finally the French Line. If you get out of the car, you will see lots of diferent things like plants and animals. Dalhousie,
Purni Bore, Mokari
Airstrip, The Lone Gum,
Approdinna Attora Knolls, Eyre Creek, Poepples Corner, Various lakes and of course Big Red are all must do. Big Red at sunset is one of the most beautiful sights I've seen. You would not want to spend less than 4 nights out there but 6 would be better.Nil Taurus Excretus
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Follow Up By: Cameron - Saturday, Oct 11, 2003 at 13:35
Saturday, Oct 11, 2003 at 13:35
Thanks Al, Another question, do you have a comment on the most popular route, I have heard the French Line is popular and the WAA line less so, is this a fair assumprtion?
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Follow Up By: Member -BJ (Sydney) - Saturday, Oct 11, 2003 at 18:17
Saturday, Oct 11, 2003 at 18:17
We did the waa last year west to east & had 4 cars going west when we got back to french line we had 4 cars every 10 minutes go the waa or
rig road.Regards Bob
Where to next
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Follow Up By: Member - Al Symers (SA) - Saturday, Oct 11, 2003 at 21:32
Saturday, Oct 11, 2003 at 21:32
I agree totally with BJ. The two day wonders fly across the French Line towing their trailers, don't see anything and then buy a "We crossed the Simpson" sticker at
Birdsville. Yes the French Road has more traffic on it but you won't be in total isolation on the other tracks.
Don't forget your Dessert Parks Pass.Nil Taurus Excretus
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen (Broken Hill) - Saturday, Oct 11, 2003 at 22:17
Saturday, Oct 11, 2003 at 22:17
Yeah, as above. We did the Simpson earlier this week in a "Zig-Zag" fashion and saw 2 vehicles on the French Line and none on the WAA line. I enjojed the WAA more out of the two, but my wife liked the French Line. Neither of us really enjoyed the
Rig Road at all. Fave track of the lot was the Knolls track with it's ever-changing countryside.
Cheers
Stephen J.Simpson in September.......
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen (Broken Hill) - Saturday, Oct 11, 2003 at 22:18
Saturday, Oct 11, 2003 at 22:18
Bugger.... just looking at my tag ... I'll have to change it now.Simpson in September.......
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Reply By: Cameron - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 08:27
Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 08:27
Thanks for the tips guys
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Reply By: landie - Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003 at 14:30
Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003 at 14:30
A good book for any
Simpson desert traveller to read is "The Simpson Desert" by Mark Sheppard.
It gives history of exploration ,flora, fauna as well as the ecology.
You should be able to get one from Westprint Maps.
Cheers
Landie
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