Back from my Simpson Desert trip

Submitted: Monday, Jun 04, 2012 at 21:06

ThreadID: 96028 Views:3087 Replies:5 FollowUps:8

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Simpson Desert

The Simpson Desert can be crossed via the French Line, WAA line or Rig Road. This trek provides a route using a combination of all 3 routes.

Simpson Desert

Section: Treks

The Simpson Desert can be crossed via the French Line, WAA line or Rig Road. This trek provides a route using a combination of all 3 routes.

Member - Vern (North Haven SA)

Hello All
Well I am back from my Simpson + Flinders Ranges trip. The trip went well for all (apart from the rat bite), the Birdsville track was like a highway and the Oodnadatta track was like a super highway, the desert and the French line was thick with plant life to the point that the track was rather narrow. We camped just out side Hawker the first night then Mungeranie, then Birdsville on the way up and on the way home we camped at Eringa creek ,Farnia and Leigh Creek. Fuel on the trip varied from $1.74 at Leigh Creek to $2.29 at Mt Dare and William Creek. When in the Flinders we turned of at Copley and then turned rleft again and followed a track through some stations and entered Arkaroola the back way. This track took about 5 hours and was for me the best part of the trip. we then travelled home via a few gorges. unfortunately I now have to go back to work to save up and prepare for the next trip, not sure where yet.

CHeers Vern

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Reply By: Member - eighty matey - Monday, Jun 04, 2012 at 21:17

Monday, Jun 04, 2012 at 21:17

Glad you had a good trip.
Thanks for the info.

We head to the Kimberly in Site Link

It's going to be hard going back to work.
When I got to work after our laast big trip I just sat there in shock for about 20 minutes. Actually, I sort of do that everyday.

Welcome back,
Steve

AnswerID: 487641

Reply By: Member - eighty matey - Monday, Jun 04, 2012 at 22:14

Monday, Jun 04, 2012 at 22:14

Hi again,

I was just reading on Weatherzone that people have been stranded in Tanbo, Qld and stuck on the Birdsville track - the story in here, Weatherzone.com.au

That's going to change the road conditions, I reckon.

Hoo roo,
Steve

AnswerID: 487647

Reply By: Member - Graham N (SA) - Monday, Jun 04, 2012 at 22:59

Monday, Jun 04, 2012 at 22:59

Hi Vern,
Welcome back, did you turn left at Mt Searle and would it be possible to pull a T-Van through there thanks? Sounds like you had a great trip.

Cheers
Graham

AnswerID: 487654

Follow Up By: Member - Vern (North Haven SA) - Tuesday, Jun 05, 2012 at 11:39

Tuesday, Jun 05, 2012 at 11:39

Hi Graham

Yes we turned of around Mt Searle and headed for Owieandana then Umberatana then through to Arkaroola. Plenty of wild life and you can't drive through this area fast but you will have no problems towing a T-Van through the tracks you will need to allow 4-5 hours for the trip.
Hope you enjoy your trip.

FollowupID: 762947

Follow Up By: Member - Graham N (SA) - Tuesday, Jun 05, 2012 at 14:47

Tuesday, Jun 05, 2012 at 14:47

Thanks for that Vern, I've found a phone number for Umberatana we might go through there latter in the year and will give them a call and see if we can camp somewhere along the way.
Thanks again for the information.

Cheers

Graham

FollowupID: 762965

Follow Up By: Member - Vern (North Haven SA) - Tuesday, Jun 05, 2012 at 15:35

Tuesday, Jun 05, 2012 at 15:35

Graham

There is a camp site near Owieandana. It is about 2k's off the main track. We went in there and had a look. There is a rain water tank there which was full at the time we were there. You need to pay camping fees and from memory they where $7. The camping area was good and there was plenty of wood for fires when permitted. No dogs or guns allowed.

I could send you a map if I knew how to.

Cheers

FollowupID: 762968

Follow Up By: Member - Andrew L1 (SA) - Wednesday, Jun 06, 2012 at 07:06

Wednesday, Jun 06, 2012 at 07:06

How did Yankaninna (old Homestead between Owieandana and Umberatana ) look? I grew up there and left when our family sold in 1978.e Arc

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Reply By: fronky - Tuesday, Jun 05, 2012 at 05:51

Tuesday, Jun 05, 2012 at 05:51

You mention rat bite are there rat and mice plague still and where we are heading to birdesville in a few weeks

AnswerID: 487659

Follow Up By: Member - Vern (North Haven SA) - Tuesday, Jun 05, 2012 at 11:49

Tuesday, Jun 05, 2012 at 11:49

Fronky

There was a lot of dead rats around the place and every where we went people warned us of them. Do not leave food or food scraps around your camp for the rats and mice and put your shoes and clothing away so the Dingos don't get them.

The rat bite happened to one person in our group.

A rat chewed through the mesh on his swag and landed on his face and bit the blokes nose. Then the bloke had to get himself and the rat out of his swag. When we got to Birdsville he went to the medical centre for a needle just in case.

FollowupID: 762948

Follow Up By: dean e - Tuesday, Jun 05, 2012 at 15:07

Tuesday, Jun 05, 2012 at 15:07

I gather from that the rats were in the Simpson ?
Dean

FollowupID: 762966

Follow Up By: Member - Vern (North Haven SA) - Tuesday, Jun 05, 2012 at 15:38

Tuesday, Jun 05, 2012 at 15:38

We seen rats from station across the desert to Dalhousie.

Cheers

FollowupID: 762969

Reply By: Ozrover - Tuesday, Jun 05, 2012 at 08:16

Tuesday, Jun 05, 2012 at 08:16

Good to hear that you had a great trip Vern.

Thanks for dropping those parcels off & sorry that I missed you we were up in Alice for a couple of days off, hopefully the guys looked after you!

AnswerID: 487666

Follow Up By: Member - Vern (North Haven SA) - Tuesday, Jun 05, 2012 at 21:07

Tuesday, Jun 05, 2012 at 21:07

Only to glad to help Jeff. Hope you enjoyed you break. After leaving Mt Date we had to call Mt Dare on CH 6 as we missed our turn off and with the info and advice we found our way.

Cheers

FollowupID: 762995