Can you drive across the Simpson Desert?
The French Line & Rig Road Though the French Line is the shortest and most direct route across the Simpson Desert it does not mean it’s for novice drivers. With a high volume of people traversing this single lane track in both directions, the French Line crosses about 1200 sand dunes at a right angle.
How long does it take to cross the Simpson Desert?
4 days
Closed between December 1 and March 15, crossing the Simpson Desert takes a minimum of 4 days and demands low range and high ground clearance from your vehicle. The best time of the year is May to October, primarily for the purpose of getting far away from the soaring temperatures of a desert summer.
How far is it across the Simpson Desert?
between 550 and 715 kilometres
The Simpson stretches between Birdsville (1585km west of Brisbane) and Dalhousie in Witjira National Park in northern SA, (around 700km south-east of Alice Springs); it’s between 550 and 715 kilometres across, depending on which track you take. The desert is closed between December 1 and March 15.
How much fuel do you need to cross the Simpson Desert?
As per our calculations in our last Simpson Desert crossing, we worked off a fuel consumption of 20 to 21 litres per 100kms. Based on approximately 550kms this would mean we needed between 110 and 115.5 litres of fuel.
How long is the French Line Simpson Desert?
Approximately 260 kms long
Approximately 260 kms long. Takes around 2 days to complete. Much slower going than the QAA Line. French Line crosses Knolls, Erabena and Colson Tracks, as well as Rig Road.
Do I need a permit to cross the Simpson Desert?
If you’re planning on crossing the Simpson Desert via any of the tracks which travel through South Australia, such as the French Line, the QAA Line or the WAA Line, you’ll need to purchase a Desert Parks Pass from the South Australian Parks and Wildlife Service.
Is the Simpson Desert safe?
The Simpson Desert is a dangerous place if you are not well prepared. It is recommended to have a Sat-phone or HF radio as well as a UHF, extra water, fuel and supplies, a sand flag is now compulsory.
Has anyone walked across the Simpson Desert?
In 2006 Trihey, then aged 44, was the first person to walk unsupported across the Simpson Desert since the Aboriginal people roamed there. The 400km walk took 17 days and he carried all his gear, water and food in a specially made cart that he pulled behind him.
How much does it cost to cross the Simpson Desert?
The 5100km trip ran to a total of $1300. The first refueling stop since leaving Birdsville, thanks to the Prado’s long-range tanks. There’s also fuel at Mount Dare Station, up the road from Dalhousie Springs.
Can you tow a trailer across the Simpson Desert?
It is recommended by National Parks that you do not tow trailers across the Simpson Desert, but it is not banned at the time of writing this post. It is not advised to tow as it can cause a large amount of track damage as well as delays for other travellers.
Is the Simpson Desert closed?
Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert National Park is closed annually between 1 December and 15 March. This closure is to ensure public safety as temperatures can exceed 50 degrees. A breakdown during this time could be fatal.
Are there dingos in the Simpson Desert?
Despite its dry appearance, the Simpson has a surprising array of wildlife, including reptiles such as the sand goanna and central bearded dragon, mammals like the fat-tailed dunnart and ampurta, and even dingoes.
Is the Simpson Desert Open 2021?
Opening hours Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert National Park is closed from 1 December to 15 March each year. Access may be restricted due to local road conditions.
How hot is the Simpson Desert?
Temperatures for Simpson Desert Simpson Desert has hot summer temperatures. The summer high temperature for Simpson Desert is approximately 36 °c. The summer low temperature is approximately 20 °c. Simpson Desert has mild winter temperatures.
Is there water in the Simpson Desert?
Unlike the Sahara, there is no permanent surface water in the Simpson Desert. The presence of a mikiri is only given away by stands of large trees in an otherwise barren landscape. Water is there, but it’s underground.
What states is the Simpson Desert in?
| Simpson Desert | |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| States | Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia |
| Coordinates | 24.57°S 137.42°E |
Do lions live in the desert?
Lions are highly adaptable and can live in very dry areas like the Kalahari Desert. Here they get most of their water from their prey and will even drink from plants such as the Tsamma melon.
What is the Simpson Desert famous for?
The Simpson Desert is often called the Holy Grail of four-wheel driving in South Australia. More than 1200 kilometres from Adelaide, it lies at the border of SA, the Northern Territory and Queensland, and covers more than 170,000 square kilometres.
What do I need to cross the Simpson Desert?
You must have a sand flag Besides being common sense, it’s now mandatory to have a sand flag on your vehicle when driving in the Simpson Desert. The flag must be at least 300mm x 290mm and fluorescent red orange or lime yellow in colour.
Is the Simpson Desert the Final Frontier for 4WD adventure?
For a lot of people, the Simpson Desert is the final frontier when it comes to 4WD adventure and exploration. Though it’s not for the faint hearted or the inexperienced, with scorching sun even in winter, extreme remoteness, and nowhere to stop for fuel or water along many of the tracks, you need to be a prepared and experienced 4WDer.
How many days does it take to cross the Simpson Desert?
6-day tour. This Simpson Desert tour is not for the faint hearted; it is an exciting and exhilarating crossing of one of the remote parts of Australia and quite unique. The roads and sand dunes can get very rough, so if you have neck or back problems then this tour is probably not for you.
What is the longest road in the Simpson Desert?
Like the French Line, Rig Road also leaves civilisation at Purni Bore in South Australia and is the most southern and longest route across the desert. Once, Rig Road was the easiest Simpson Desert track to traverse, but now the clay on the surface of the sand tracks has long eroded, making it soft and tricky to navigate.
How much does it cost to visit the Simpson Desert?
When entering the Simpson Desert, you will need to purchase a Desert Parks Pass from South Australia Parks. This permits costs approximately $180 and is valid for a 12-month period.