Simpson Desert Rig Road, Birdsville to Maree S.A

Cost: $2050.00 per Vehicle with Two Occupants

Difficulty Rating: Medium in the Dry.

Duration: 8 Days pending track conditions.

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Included in tour fees

  • Desert Parks Pass.
  • Experienced Tour Guide and Support Vehicle.
  • Driver Training Support.
  • First Aid certified Tour Leader.
  • First Aid Kit includes a Blood Pressure Machine and Defibrillator.
  • Sat Phone for emergency use only.
  • Mechanical / Electrical Support.

Tour Exclusions

  • Vehicle, Fuel and Equipment.
  • Camping Equipment.
  • Food and Beverages.
  • Private Accommodation.
  • Alcohol will not be supplied.

 

Once in Birdsville set up your camp before we head out to enjoy a sunset over the desert at Big Red. After this perhaps enjoy a quiet beverage in the famous outback hotel before sitting down for a meal or, cook your own back at the caravan park if that is your preference. There is a great campers kitchen available for your use.

Our desert trip begins in earnest next morning. We are on an east west crossing, this is more challenging than west to east as the dunes are sharper therefor slightly harder to traverse, much more fun in my opinion! We will air down our tyres prior to heading over “Big Red” the largest sand dune in the Simpson Desert. Following the QAA Line as we make our way to the Corner Post and Lake Poeppel. The “post” is the marker for the borders of Queensland, Northern Territory and South Australia.  

From the Post we run over the lake and along the french line to Knolls Track, then turning south we travel down the swale and into the knolls before continuing south to the Rig Road intersection. Turning west, we will follow the less travelled Rig Road all the way across seeing a completely different Simpson Desert to the popular heavily trafficked French Line. See the Lone Gum, drive the old clay topped tracks made by oil companies as they explored the desert with their drilling rigs. Whilst little is left of the search for oil these days we will have some fun on the dunes, see Purni Bore on the French line before we eventually arrive at Dalhousie Springs. Swim in the thermal spring, relax for awhile out of the vehicle.

From the springs we head down to Oodnadatta for Fuel before heading south down the track, we will visit Algiebuckina Railway Bridge and the ruins at Peake before William Creek. The old pub is definitely worth a stop over to quench your thirst!  We will see the Strangeways ruins, Old Ghan railway sidings, the “bubble” and Lake Eyre South before arriving in Marree. This is where our trip concludes however we have an evening meal together at the pub before we all say good bye. Travelling South from Marree you can enjoy the blacktop once again, as you head towards the Flinders Ranges and Port Augusta. 

Fuel: Diesel and Petrol is available Birdsville, Oodnadatta and Marree. Carry enough fuel for 800 k’s of desert travel. Atagalong Tours or its operators do not carry spare fuel. Please do your fuel calculations carefully. 

 

Towing

I do not recommend towing on this track.

On this Adventure your tour guide is:

Warren Sprigg
Warren Sprigg

Special Note.

Minimum numbers are required to run this trip.

This is a bush camping tour.

Fires: Collection of timber in the park is Illegal, we all love a camp fire. Please carry a pack of timber.

Fines: Rangers do apply fine’s for carrying a chain saw or collecting firewood in the park.

No Supplies are available between Birdsville and Oodnadatta.

                                                                                                                                                                                           

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