Birdsville

Stephen -

Considering all your experience in outback travel, I don't think you have provided all the correct information to help this person with his proposed trip !

Food is also required and I would suggest taking a packet of BBQ Shapes :)


Cheers
Gazz

You also need a Qld NP camping permit to overnight on the QAA line.

Michael H9,

I think you actually need a Desert Parks Pass from S.A. for access to Poeppel Corner. At least that is what we were told for our last two crossings of the Simpson Desert. Most of the section between Birdsville & Poeppel Corner is on station property and does not require a permit at all, only the last few kms.

To help with the OP’s original question, and not knowing your level of experience, it is not a trip to be taken lightly. Your vehicle needs to be mechanically sound and well set up for the trip. A “Mine Spec” sand flag is essential, along with a UHF Radio tuned to Channel 10.

If you want a camp fire you will need to take your own fire wood in with you, as you cannot collect fire wood on the station or the National Park. As Stephen has mentioned, you will need to plan for at least two days of supplies, fuel & water to comfortably get out & back. Your average speed is going to be something like 10 to 15 kph depending on the condition of the dunes and the amount of traffic coming from the opposite direction. If the Eyre Creek is still running, depending on the depth, you may need to use the bypass road which will add about 50 kms to your trip, about 26 kms up & back again.

A Sat. phone is a good idea, however, an EPIRB or PLB is a must, as you cannot depend on others to get you out of trouble. Yes, the track is fairly well travelled, but you never know when the next person is coming along, or if they have the equipment or ability to help you. If you need recovery from the “Big Truck” in Birdsville, it is expensive, and it is a “pay on the spot” deal, no cheque’s, strictly cash or credit card, several thousand dollars per day.

Having said all of this, it is quite an enjoyable trip if you are well prepared.

Macca.

There's one way in without crossing the border into SA according to the maps, the other 2 require you to travel 1 km each in SA. What do our team of experts say about that? I've only ever traveled with a pass so haven't taken that much notice what state I'm in.

I have heard that before, but I am not sure how they can do it. At an average speed of about 10 - 15 kph, you are looking at anywhere from 25 - 35 hours. Even at 20 kph you would struggle to get back in a day.

McLaren 3030 my records show that from the 'Corner' to Birdsville was 168 km , just on 4hrs , that included 'Big Red' not the chicken run ... 7/8/19 ....FJ Cruiser + 79 series V8 ute .....

So that is an average of about 42 kph, not bad going. Was there much traffic on the run? What was the condition of the dunes before & after?

Macca.

Nothing over dramatic , 5 tracks to choose from west to east 'big red ' .. the perpetual 'joke' is Big Red , bottom of red you are 14mtr above sea level , 67mtr above sea level at its peak ...many a dune is higher bottom to top but seems less due to vegetation whereas Big Red has none ....

Yes alloy, it is not the tallest, but I think it is the longest which is why it is regarded as the hardest to get up. Plus being the so close to Birdsville, everyone has to have a go, even if they are doing a crossing, churning up the track.

Macca.

I did think the desert was just temporarily closed for rain. But then saw this.

Closure of Deserts

Things are getting sadder every day.