It's getting harder to avoid the crowds even way,way outback.

We sort of tried that but they were slower at times and then would catch up.
We did stop for half a day. Then we caught up to them anyway the next day. Too many flies to prop for a full day. We were also a bit wary off getting stuck behind them considering they had 10 vehicles which would take forever to get over any sand dunes which required snatching or winching. It was not as simple as it would seem.
Cheers,
Christine

I can't believe they needed to snatch or winch over some of the dunes!!!!!!....I'm not bragging here at all...but if they'd let their tyres down enough...they would NOT have any propblems. We towed our TVan over every dune. With the weight penalty as the only difference between us and them, it really surprises me that they had to do that!!!!
We would not enjoy a busy track either....the track is fast becoming the "new Simpson". We did it 2 years ago with fellow TVanners (1 vehicle) and didn't see a soul for 10 days (Old Andado to Birdsville)...that was soooooo nice.
I really feel for you and your companions Christine!!!!
Cheers
Robyn

In fairness it was mostly at the beginning that they were having a bit of bother. Inexperience by one vehicle I think. The trip leader was very obliging in attempting to keep a distance between them and us but as we said previously it is not so simple on one track. Next time we will take a mesh shelter to keep the flies at bay, and stop longer if the track is busy. The trouble is that you never know who else is heading your way. Still thoroughly enjoyed the trip.

What month!? We did the French line in September 2010 and there were some vehicles. Also in June 2011 and lots of people, particularly around poepples corner.
Agree though. We are glad we did the Big Lap in 1983.

Mid March, we were the 1st group over that year.

Cheers

That makes sense, not so busy

The problem is that I am a teacher

Sounds like you had a similar experience to us. It's just the luck of the draw.

..
Pretty much . . . at this stage anyway :)

Once you've done SA's crossings more than once you are really ready for the next step, and the NT Simpson (particularly geo hill / centre area, all the old shotline routes) are definitely 'out there' :) :)

Madigan Line out of school hols and peak desert months you are usually fine too, it's still reasonably quiet.

We did 12 months around OZ in 1983 so we have definitely enjoyed the outback with hardly anyone around. We don't mind meeting the odd group, it was just the huge group that was a bit much.

True.
A bit like metro peak hour, and cranky about being stuck in traffic, the irony.

Point taken and often mentioned as a bit of a joke at our own expense when we attempt to find empty places to travel around. Mind you I think the peak hour analogy is a bit off the topic. You know it will be peak hour so you just accept it as normal. Happy travels!

Yes traffic is a little different, but I hear it a lot, "blasted traffic, was stuck for an extra hour !!"

Personally I think I like deserts not only for their beauty but the isolation.
It's why the SA Simpson, for example, isn't terribly up there on my list of places to tour any longer if I can go another route through the NT.

WA beckons :)

Somehow never feel just one of "the crowd", maybe I kid myself, but it's the way one travels (as opposed to sightseeing it's important to experience a place), the reasons for being there and the respect for the place. Luckily it's usually easy to predict the herd mentality and plan to avoid the worst experiences (traffic jams?) they can offer. Also having a vehicle that can traverse a bit deeper into the bush is a must to avoid the crowds...

We can visit Fraser Is in the middle of Christmas rush and still have some places to ourselves for a few hours.eg Lake McKenzie at dusk and dawn when the tourists have scuttled back to some secure hideaway from the dark and dangerous Australian bush. Likewise some of the best experiences ... like fishing the beaches at night are usually tourist free as there is much fear instilled to the uninitiated about rising tides, soft sand,dingos, drop bears and not finding campsites in the dark.

So it is a manageable problem.

Mind you you meet some great people at times!!

"Who's been leaving footy prints all over my desert"

Sheik Riff Raff Sam” (played by Yosemite Sam)

I feel your pain! Even worse the morons that trash the place. Glad you have found some nice spots in WA. We have a couple in the Vic High Country which have not been over run yet.

There are two things I never tell people about, good camp sites & good firewood spots!

Its not the vehicle but the driver and their attitude.