Crossing Simpson desert in 2011

Hi GraemeA
Its virtually a wait and see game, my understanding was that the Simpson was open at various times last year. We crossed in June last year and the water in Eyre Creek was up to the bonnet of our vehicles. If you get the chance to do it it will be a big contrast to 2000. The detour to get through Eyre Creek was 75 kms around and no need to tell you that if you can't get through you will need supplies to get back. There should be a ranger there to advise you also the Mt Dare web site would keep you informed.

Cheers

Graham

Hi Graeme

Like the other Graeme has said, it is still too far away to be making any calls as yet.

Eyre Creek is the least of your problems if the desert is wet. The countless claypans are what you will have to watch out for. I like many people became a victim, but that is another story.

Last year the detour to the south of Eyre Creek was in place and was no problems at all...providing that you followed the main path. There were some very big bog marks at the crossing from when it was very wet, again just like the claypans.

You need to see what the desert is like about 3 weeks prior to your trip and to keep an eye on the long range weather. My advise is if it is real wet in the desert, take plan B your next destination.


Cheers


Stephen

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This weather is a dilemma to us also. We are hoping to drive across the Simpson east to west in early May. The idea is that if it is muddy or closed when we get up to Birdsville or Eyre Creek we will simply change plans and just head further north for a QLD trip. I am not keen on heaps of mud flats. I will drive through it but this is not a mud bath drive its a Simpson drive. We don't wants miles of mud. Its supposed to be a desert for crying out loud.

We just wait and hope it dries out.

Phil

Hi Graeme,

Just a point to consider, the likelihood is that Eyre Creek won't open until later in the season the same as for the last two years, (Eyre Creek is affected by rain up in the Georgina river catchment).

This doesn't necessarily mean that the Simpson Desert will be closed, the SA side of the Simpson Desert only closes when we have a lot of local rain.

There are a lot of other routes to be taken into & out of the Simpson Desert if Eyre Creek is closed.

You can always come in via Batton Hill or hit Poeppel Corner and hear North and exit that way as well. It's one of our options for July

Regards

Rob

It doesn't really matter if you can't through or over as long as you can get out into it.
Sorry if that's a bit philosophical & deep for this time of day - but I am desperately needing a bit of Simpson Desert myself at the moment.
Just to sit on a sand dune and contemplate...........