Big Red is the largest and most famous dune in the
Simpson Desert. It stands approximately 90 metres above sea level and 35 metres above the plain, although height may vary due to winds and dunal movement. This
sand dune, which sits 35km west of
Birdsville in Queensland, can provide an extremely challenging feat for 4WD enthusiasts,but there are alternate routes. The eastern approach is less steep than from the west. This side has several tracks, all of which reach
the summit. The track over the lower and easier
Little Red can be taken to avoid its bigger brother dune.
When heading out into the
Simpson Desert NP from
Birdsville, Big Red is the first and highest of over 1,100 sand dunes that run north-south for hundreds of kilometres. This landscape is dominated by parallel, wind-blown sand dunes ranging from 40 metres at Big Red to a metre or two at the western end of the Simpson. The striking colours and the huge expanse of arid landscapes are some of the reasons why many visitors are attracted to the area.
Big Red will vary in colours from yellow to
orange to red as the photos show depending on the amount and angle of sunlight.
Originally known as Nappanerica Dune, this huge
sand dune in the
Simpson Desert lies on the western edge of
Lake Nappanerica. Nappanerica roughly translates to "water that takes a long time to dry up". The dune was later named Big Red by
Simpson Desert traveller Dennis Bartell.