The Simpson - Which direction - W2E or E2W

W2E E2W.....It is harder to go west but i wouldnt let it stop me or change my mind.... It is just harder that's all........
But i would definately go WAA line...
WAA is the best line across...

I should have added that we drive a 100 series 4.2TD and no trailer/camper. Will be fully self sufficient before the trip. Still need to get a bigger fuel tank (hate fuel on the roof), maxitraks, sand anchour and sat phone to complete the car for a desert trip.

Its also a single car drive.

Phil

Phil
After 30 years and over 20 plus crossings on just about every track (and some that aren't) through the Simpson you will be pretty early in the season, the desert will probably have had quite a deal of rain over the previous 6 months and you will likely be breaking the ground on some tracks if off the French line.
Our preference has always been for east to west for the reason that this direction usually has less traffic so the dunes while they are steeper are usually smoother. That being said in school holiday and peak times it makes bugger all difference.
Our suggested route for newbies is QAA, Poeppels, west on the French line to the Knolls track, then down to the WAA and west to the rig road. Follow the rig road west until it joins the French line and then on to Purni and Dalhousie.
This route will take you through the different parts of the desert and the POI's like the Lone Gum are not far away to divert to.
The biggest thing is to take your time, stop and look at things, camp early ans enjoy the solitude. We usually take anywhere from a minimum of 4-5 days to up to a fortnight to do a straight crossing. The longest trip across took over three weeks.
We've done it alone but be very careful that early as blows on dune crests can trap the unwary and righting a vehicle when on its side can be nigh on impossible without assistance. Our preference is at least two vehicles but I wouldn't let that put you off, you may be able to travel with or at least keep tabs on others either before or after you. Make sure you have a list of contact numbers for the satphone before leaving Birdsville or Dalhousie.

Hi Phil

Like others that have travelled the Simpson from every possible way, our preferred way is always from the east to west. Sure the dunes are steeper, but with the correct set up, it is still a great trip even though a little more demanding.

Count speed out, slow as you go is the way to go. May you will still have days over 40 C, and yes I have travelled in early May before, so I know what I am talking about. Your best friend will be a set of MaxTrax. Tyre pressure will be critical because of the very soft sand from the very hot summer out in the desert. I would not play with pressures and put them straight at 14psi, remember you will only be going very slow. Even at that low pressure there will be some dunes that may require more than one attempt to get over and yes you will get bogged because of the powder fine sand.

Some of the tracks will be blown over, but with a good eye for desert terrain, you will make out where the track should be. If you lack a little confidence, then moving map will help you greatly and as a matter of safety, do not travel Solo seeing this is your first visit (We have travelled solo but know what to expect)

You have the swim at Dalhousie at the end which makes up for the hot days out in the desert.

Have a safe trip.


Cheers

Stephen

One advantage of travelling east to west is that the harder parts will be at the eastern end and you can get them over and done with early. Thinking here of Eyre Creek and Big Red and some of the other dunes which are harder.

I agree with those who suggest starting on the QAA and French line and dropping down to the Rig Road. The lone gum is worthwhile seeing.

Technically I don't think there is that much difference in east to west or west to east. I have done both.

Only done a short stretch of WAA line. Preferred the Rig Road.

If it rains while you are out there you would not want to be alone. If rain was to happen returning to or staying on the French line would be the go.

Flynnie

Our experiences of the Simpson is that it depends on what the weather has been like there.

We have travelled it when the vegetation was waist high and the birds, chats in particular, were thick. We have also travelled it when the sand was so soft that by the time you reached the top of a dune the sand was blown away and that was just after one of our group had crossed it. No sign of any animals then.

We have also had bad conditions and a starving fox come into our camp for food; it was so hungry we did not scare it. No food though, but I must admit it feels pretty harsh not to help. The same thing happened years before with a starving dingo family.

The Simpson can be easy, a piece of cake if you like, or it can be extremely hard.

Our experiences with the Knolls Track is that it is pretty much a hard slog for quite a considerable distance.

We've seen it so green that you would wonder if it were a desert and we have seen it so dry that it was desolate.

Be prepared and enjoy it.

Di and Bruce