simpson crossing

Submitted: Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 11:04
ThreadID: 86793 Views:2247 Replies:4 FollowUps:8
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Hi I'm looking at doing a Simpson crossing west to east starting at Dalhouise then going across to Birdsville in July. Route will depend on which we can get through to Birdsville. From what I understand Eyre creek is still flooded and access to Birdsville is restricted. I've also read that there is a detour. So what I'm wondering is what kind of access is there in that last bit getting through to Birdsville and is it looking like it will be accessible in early July. Cheers
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Reply By: rainbowprof - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 13:33

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 13:33
hey, mate, did you ever live out Rylestone way?
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Follow Up By: Brodie M - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 13:39

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 13:39
Nah sorry I didn't
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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 14:28

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 14:28
Hi Brodie

This has been asked quite a lot lately from people just like you that have had trips planned for a long time. A complete crossing is still not possible just yet because of the flooding of Eyre Creek. There is talk that it may be possible to do a complete crossing by late June/early July.

Give the boys a call at Mt Dare for the most reliable up to date information, and that way you will know that it has come direct from the horses mouth as such.

Have a great time and do not think that this is what the Simpson usually looks like.


Cheers


Stephen
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Reply By: Great Divide Tours - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 15:07

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 15:07
I think a lot of us are hanging on this question, I spoke to the info Centre in Birdsville a couple of weeks ago and at that stage they expected the detour around Eyre Creek to be open by July, but nothing guaranteed at the time. Assuming the detour is open this means a drive north of the QAA line when you reach the Eyre Creek for approx 30k's through easy going sandy country parallel with the dunes, you do need to cross a couple at the end of the detour and then you have the crossing of Eyre Creek. Here it is wide, about 30-50 metres (depends on the amount of water) and about hub deep, best to walk it first as there can be some holes/rocks. You then head north for about half a kilometre and then east to cross one sand dune (easy) then head south until you reach the QAA line again and turn east to Birdsville. The clay pans either side of Big red were full of water and there are diversions around them. The clay pan on the east side of Big Red has a long diversion, as of 2 weeks ago I was told it was about 17 k's around it. Therefore you need to add these diversion distances to your total trip distance, say approx 80 K at least. Hope this helps, but keen to hear any updates on my info.
Vic Widman
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Follow Up By: Member - Michael O (NSW) - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 21:13

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 21:13
Thanks for that Vic
We plan on being out there early in July.

I was planning on asking your guide on the Bendethera trip this weekend...

Michael O
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Reply By: Ruth D (QLD) - Tuesday, Jun 07, 2011 at 20:48

Tuesday, Jun 07, 2011 at 20:48
Hi Everyone, as of last weekend the lead of the flood water in Eyre Creek was at approximately Muncoonie Station which is to the N/NW of Birdsville.
Eyre Creek is still 14 sandunes wide which is about 1 klm between dunes therefore about 14 kilometres wide, that's now on the QAA line - so there is the rest of the water to come down, how long that will take - ??
Very light rain falling in Birdsville today.
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Follow Up By: Ozrover - Tuesday, Jun 07, 2011 at 21:01

Tuesday, Jun 07, 2011 at 21:01
Hi Ruth,

We've had 0.4mm last night & it's been drizzling all day here!

It's the last thing that we need at the moment.

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Follow Up By: Great Divide Tours - Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 11:27

Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 11:27
Crikey Ruth, you know how to put the wind up me don't you! I remember it was like that in 2001, about 14 dunes wide in May be we were able to cross it in July, the problem is its about a month later this year, keep us posted, it will seriously affect a lot of our planned trips this year if it stays up like that.
Vic Widman
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Follow Up By: Great Divide Tours - Thursday, Jun 09, 2011 at 15:08

Thursday, Jun 09, 2011 at 15:08
After receiving a report from Qld Parks and Wildlife that the Simpson Desert NP is closed until 8 July I spoke to the Birdsville Info Centre today and Lyn in there is saying that they expect Eyre Creek to be impassable until August now. Some sections of water outside of the main creek bed are over 1.5 metres deep it would appear (based on bike riders advice returning to Birdsville today 9/6/11). So it looks like most of us will have to make alternate plans for our trips in July - bugger!
Vic Widman
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Follow Up By: muffin man - Thursday, Jun 09, 2011 at 16:27

Thursday, Jun 09, 2011 at 16:27
Double bugger... Anyway life goes on and it looks like it's a Mt. Dare start and finish for everyone for most of this year, good for Mt. Dare I suppose.
MM
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Follow Up By: Ozrover - Thursday, Jun 09, 2011 at 17:17

Thursday, Jun 09, 2011 at 17:17
No not really, much better if people can do a complete crossing, as Vic said, if they can't cross then most people are making alternate arrangements.

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Follow Up By: Tonyfish#58 - Thursday, Jun 09, 2011 at 18:47

Thursday, Jun 09, 2011 at 18:47
Glad I went for a lat Aug trip this year :-) Hopefully winter rain will stay away

Hope to see Jeff in Early September, we passed Jeff Last year not long after he got bogged :-)

We ended up Bogged in the same pan

Cheers Tony
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