then head north to meet the French Line. SITE MAP Winter nights often fall below freezing. as of March 16 2014 sand flags are a requirement to drive in the Simpson Desert. If there’s a cyclone (a hurricane) in the Kimberly region of Western Australia, it might travel all the way down through the Red Centre to the Simpson Desert. It is the fourth-largest Australian desert, with an area of 176,500 km2 (68,100 sq mi) and is the world’s largest sand dune desert. That’s not a typo, either. Our Campgrounds were always great. It’s 40 metres high! Crossing it east to west is the most challenging, as the eastern dune faces are generally steeper due to the wind direction. Travel from Hamilton Station to Mt Dare or via the Pedirka Desert to Dalhousie Springs. However, if you live in Australia, you might be able to find it at a local library, or have your local library order it in. It straddles three states: the Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland. Aboriginal people around Alice Springs often call this the ‘sickness’ season, as many people get eye, ear, nose and throat infections at this time of the year, which are thought to be caused by the wind. From my very first visit to the Simpson Desert back in 2002, I have been captivated by this deeply beautiful and moving place.The feeling of hundreds of kilometres of dunes stretching out before you beneath an immense blue sky, where few people dare to venture is something you’ll never forget.So on this page, we’ve put together an overview of this iconic desert, packed with information and links that you’ll need if you’re planning a trip i… Hover over it to select a different time. Being prepared pays dividends in remote areas such as the Simpson Desert, with many fated expeditions in years gone past In autumn (fall) and winter, it tends to be less windy. Keep track of your fuel consumption too, taking into account that driving in soft sand increases fuel use by around 50% in diesel vehicles and can almost double it in petrol vehicles. However, rain can fall at anytime in the Simpson Desert. Cecil Madigan's route from his 1939 expedition. HOME Get the forecast for today, tonight & tomorrow's weather for Simpson Desert, South Australia, Australia. Add to Cart. This track starts at Numery Station about 120km east of Alice Springs, and ends where it joins the WAA Line, A permit from the Central Land Council is needed to cross the Aboriginal Land. View the top 100 off-road tracks and destinations in Australia for 2017, voted on by you! dunes are on the eastern side of the desert, diminishing in size as a trend to the west. Simpson Desert, Queensland, Australia Lat Long Coordinates Info. The horizontal line signifies the horizon, the vertical lines show the times of sunrise and sunset. You’ll find information on road distances, fuel stops, supplies and accommodation, GPS coordinates, info about track conditions, tips for driving, points of interest, notes about history, wildlife and Aboriginal culture. Closed between December 1 and March 15, crossing the Simpson Desert takes a minimum of 4 days and demands low range and high Crossing the Simpson Desert. See the brilliant wildflowers, rare pine trees and unique wildlife that thrives in the harsh desert … In June and July, you can expect clear days with perfect blue skies, and temperatures of around 20C. From Dalhousie Springs, travel via Spring Creek then Purnie Bore. Simpson Desert, Northern Territory, Australia - Free topographic maps visualization and sharing. 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. ground clearance from your vehicle. Great Desert Tracks Map Pack. May, June and July are the ideal times to visit. a memorable and safe one. There are hundreds of kilometres between fuel, food and water stops on most of the crossings. To download this map, go to Menu > Maps > Download maps and follow the instructions. However, summer temperatures of 50C have been recorded! Unfortunately, Shephard’s very enjoyable book (it’s a must for all Simpson Desert fans!) The WAA leaves the Rig Road where the Colson Track strikes north and heads directly east, crossing the Erabena Track before meeting the Knolls Track. At the time of writing, the cost of the pass was $171. Cape York is a ‘must-do’ destination for those serious about exploring what Australia has to offer. National Park. I am planning with a friend the classic Simpson desert crossing Birdsville - Mt Dare (and back) in August. a stern reminder of that. It can also get quite windy at certain times of the year. There are easier parts before and after the actual desert. This is a large format, r4 map pack printed on specially coated paper to make it hard wearing. The Simpson Desert is close to the collective hearts of explorers all over Australia, its history and notoriety making it a golden reference on the resumé of any four-wheel driver. The Simpson is situated in the far north of South Australia near Lake Eyre, and extends north into the Northern Territory for almost 300km all the way to the Plenty Highway, and east into Queensland to Birdsville. Zendo and peace. Several especially "dirty" bombs had been detonated the year before. The temperature can drop below freezing, and frosts occur on 50% of mornings. CONTACT The Surviving Artifacts of Buddhist Civilization. Likely the most famous effect of nuke testing in the desert came from the film "The Conqueror," shot in 1956 in St. George, Utah, some miles downwind of the Nevada Test Site. The Simpson Desert is a vast expanse of rolling dunes, seemingly endless horizons and deep red sand. This table shows the average minimum and maximum temperatures for each month. Qty. Based on weather reports collected during 2005–2015. It's also important to remember that Temperatures average 36-39C in summer and 18-24C in winter. trip before the clay on top of the dunes eroded. Another major route is the Rig Road, which is the longest and most southern route across the desert, and was once the easiest Cyclones and other tropical weather patterns lose their puff as they travel south over the Tanami and Alice Springs, so predictably, the Simpson Desert’s rainfall is one of the lowest in Australia. Simpson Desert Download sample . The best views on Earth of the Milky Way are to be found here! Grass of the genus Triodia (Spinifex) grows between the dune crests.. made of fluorescent materials, and the flag must be 3.5m off the ground. The tallest dune is Nappanerica or Big Red. Wherever you choose to enter from, drop your tyre pressure and maintain low speed. Vielen Dank! and camping in the Simpson Desert Conservation Park and Regional Reserve, as well as for camping at Purni Bore in Witjira Located in the remote Simpson Desert, in central Australia, the French Line is one of the country’s great touring tracks. Copies sell occasionally on Ebay and through book collectors at around $130 AUD. The below map is for visual representation purposes only. and various times of the year. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. Spotting Australian Desert Animals in the Simpson Desert November 22, 2020 February 20, 2019 by Margarita One of Australia’s most striking landscapes, the Simpson Desert is a largely uninhabited arid region that covers 143,000 square kilometres in … The difficult ones are the dunes in the Simpson Desert (especially the last one, the Big/Little Red). Crossing it east Therefore, the Simpson Desert climate relies on the tail-end of tropical rainfall events. The distance from Birdsville to Gemtree is approximately 929km, which means that travellers will want to allocate at least 9 days for the trip. Showing: All Year January February March April May June July August September October November December The entire Simpson Desert covers more than 17 million hectares of Central Australia. Our latest street & off-road GPS navigation system to help you explore Australia with confidence. Our plan is to do it unsupported in two days for each direction, 250km per ride days, with the option of a rest day in Mt Dare or Dalhousie. The biggest With the other 71 tests, they also added as many s 20,000 leukemia deaths to America's total. The Simpson is made up of 1100 parallel sand dunes that run north-north-west to south-south-east. Remember: in outback Australia, summer goes from December through March. Some years, no rain falls at all, whilst in other years (like 2010 -2011), there is widespread flooding! For existing Mud Map 2 app customers, it's available for free as a map update. From my very first visit to the Simpson Desert back in 2002, I have been captivated by this deeply beautiful and moving place. Desert driving experience is essential and you should definitely carry traction aids. On one side is the map containing GPS points, whilst on the other is information about each point of interest, track information and services available. The nights often fall below 0C (30F), so make sure you take plenty of warm clothes and a warm sleeping bag. The largest parallel sand dune desert in the world, the Simpson puts 1136 dunes in your path. The shortest and most used route across the Simpson Desert can also be the most difficult to traverse due to traffic volume. The Sun's altitude in Simpson Desert today. See the brilliant wildflowers, rare pine trees and unique wildlife that thrives in the harsh desert environment. This not only makes your own journey easier, This sounds like a lot, but when you remember that the Simpson covers almost 200,000 square kilometres, this means that only a quarter of the desert is protected. However, like many parts of Australia, the period from October- December can be quite windy, although gales are rare. The High Country is one of Victoria’s most popular & toughest off-road destinations. In this section, we’ll recommend the resources we’ve found most helpful in our explorations of the Simpson Desert. Its rainfall is low, averaging only 150mm per year. Permits for the Hay River Track are relatively easy to get are available via the Central Land Council. How to use this The Simpson desert is best known for its w ind-blown sand dunes which can be up to 20 metres high and 200 kilometres long. 194 km - Henbury. Click on the links above to learn more about each park, how to get there, facilities, what to see and do. It’s one of the Australia’s best 4WD tracks. Cross into South Australia near Charlotte Waters and head on to Mt Dare Homestead (located in Witjira National Park). The Kimberley has an allure & mystique that adventurous travellers find hard to resist. July is generally the coolest month in the Simpson. The feeling of hundreds of kilometres of dunes stretching out before you beneath an immense blue sky, where few people dare to venture is something you’ll never forget. The Lower Southern Arrernte, Wangkangarru and sometimes, Jeljendi Aboriginal peoples have lived in the Simpson Desert for at least 5000 years, The Wangkangurru people maintained a series of wells in the east of the desert which allowed them to live permanently in the Simpson, One of the first European (white) people to traverse the Simpson from south to north was David Lindsay in 1886, Pastoralist ,Ted Colson, and Aboriginal man, Peter Ains, made a crossing of the desert from west to east and back again in 1936, Cecil Madigan named the desert ‘the Simpson’ in 1929, Madigan made his famous Simpson Desert Crossing in 1939, In early 1960s, the French Petroleum Company made a series of exploration tracks which have now become magnets for 4WD enthusiasts, The Simpson Desert Conservation Park in South Australia was the first reserve in the desert, declared in 1967, The Simpson Desert Land Claim, heard in 2009, handed back 18,000km of land to the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of part of the Simpson Desert in the Northern Territory. is long out of print. Much of the Simpson is protected within four national parks (or conservation reserves), protecting a total of 54,338 square kilometres of land. You’ll find lots of information on all of the tracks which cross the desert, what to take, how to prepare your vehicle, and an overview of the flora, fauna and cultural history of this fascinating place. travellers don’t adequately deflate their tyres and drive at consistent speeds, however with some pre-trip desert vehicle preparation these churned sections are negotiable. Make sure you visit some of the other pages in this section of the website for more Simpson Desert Facts. It takes up 170,000 square kilometres. Use this master camping checklist to ensure that you don’t forget anything. The Simpson Desert is a large area of dry, red sandy plain and dunes in Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland in central Australia.It is the fourth largest Australian desert, with an area of 176,500 km² (68,100 sq mi).The desert is underlain by the Great Artesian Basin, one of the largest inland drainage areas in the World. We don’t recommend this! Instructions for downloading Ozf format maps. Add to Wish List Add to Compare. to west is the most challenging, as the eastern dune faces are generally steeper due to the wind direction. Hema’s Great Desert Tracks Map Pack  is the ultimate outback track guide. The deserts and its dunes stretch over hundreds of kilometres. Click here to download and purchase a Desert Parks Pass (link takes you to a SA government website). Far from being desolate, the Simpson is home to an incredible array of birds, animals and plants. The biggest dunes are on the eastern side of the desert, diminishing in size as a trend to the west. In other words, the climate is one of extremes. During October to March when it’s warmer, most of the winds come from the southeast. You won’t believe the number of stars you’ll see. Simpson Desert Get this Map Description: This is the revised Simpson Desert Map designed for Trip Planning use. The Simpson Desert's first crossing was attributed to Dr Cecil T Madigan, eminent geologist from Adelaide who raised an expedition in 1939 and successfully crossed from Abminga to Birdsville. Dust storms are infrequent, but do occur about 4 -5 times per year. Sample Map View. Mining for coal in the Simpson Desert can create threats of destruction for the Simpson Desert. However, a distinctive feature of the Simpson is periodic temporary flooding in some areas, caused by rainfall outside the region that flows into the desert. Access wetland mapping in PDF and KML format by selecting the desired 100K map tile below or download the data via the Queensland Government Information Service.. In fact, we’d advise that you buy this book before you go to do all of your trip planning. The latitude of Simpson Desert, Queensland, Australia is -24.570000, and the longitude is 137.419998.Simpson Desert, Queensland, Australia is located at Australia country in the Deserts place category with the gps coordinates of 24° 34' 12.0000'' S and 137° 25' 11.9928'' E. There are a number of large dunes to cross and many of the climbs become degraded in the course of any given season. These signs of use are greatly increased when Get our latest adventure articles, videos and news delivered to your inbox. The Simpson Desert is a large area of dry, red sandy plain and dunes in Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland in central Australia. Some of these dunes are 200 kilometres long, and tracks like the Old Andado, Colson or Hay River tracks have been made in the swales (the dips) of the dunes and run for tens of kilometres. The desert lies across the corners of three States - South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. Details . Rainfall varies widely in the Outback, and the Simpson’s rainfall is one of the lowest in Australia. Ranger colleagues have experienced temperatures of 50C during summer whilst camping at the Mac Clarke Conservation Reserve on the Simpson’s eastern edge, and have, unfortunately, had to sleep in them! This vast desert covers the southeast corner of the Northern Territory, and extends over the South Australia and Queensland borders. 10 for approaching vehicles is another precautionary rule to abide by for safety going over dunes. The Warburton Track itself is used for access from the Birdsville Track to the Rig Road-K1 Line, Simpson Desert Trip Planning Map $ 12.95 This is the revised Simpson Desert Map designed for Trip Planning use. The best time of the year is May to October, primarily for the purpose of getting In other words, it’s especially suited to bumping along in the back of a 4WD across the desert. As well as the Simpson Desert, it covers every desert track right across Australia. It’s also a long way inland, away from the ocean and there are no large mountain ranges to attract clouds. Find the answers you need and get technical support for your Hema digital product, Register your Hema Navigator for warranty purposes and to get technical support, Discover where the best 4WD tracks in Australia are for you to explore, Read travel stories written by adventure experts from all over the world, Find out what’s happening at Hema and in the adventure travel community. Another option, which is an easy run south between the dunes from Poeppel Corner to the Rig Road-Warburton Track junction, is the track called the K1 Line. Mini-oceans. The Simpson Desert is at the absolute maximum extent of these tropical rain events. In certain places like Purnie Bore, underground water bubbles to the surface and turns the desert into an oasis where life thrives. The Simpson Desert is a large area of dry, red sandy plain and dunes in Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland in central Australia. The largest portion of the desert, which lies in the Northern Territory, is now Aboriginal Land, and you’ll need various permits to enter it. food and water for another 7 days. The largest parallel sand dune desert in the world, the Simpson puts 1136 dunes in your path. On one side is the map containing GPS points, whilst on the other is information about each point of interest, track information and services available. Which is why we’ve created the Simpson Desert Ultimate Guide to help you start planning your adventure. PRIVACY POLICY, Copyright 2010-2021| Design by Amanda | Theme by Themesindep, 9 Ways to Get Around the Australian Outback, The Simpson has the longest parallel dunes in the world, Estimated number of parallel sand dunes: 1100+. One very popular track which travels through Aboriginal Land is the Hay River Track. Planning a camping trip? Photo gallery: Top 11 Most Unusual Deserts on the Planet. Click here to download a free location map. The track begins from Poeppel Corner and crosses over just south of the Plenty Highway. It’s important to remember that tracks are impassable when wet also, and there are fire restrictions in various regions Simpson Desert Digital Map - FREE - Click for details; Simpson Desert Digital Map - FREE - Click for details. BLOG Want maps you can buy that show you all the Great Desert Tracks? but does so for those who come after you as well. Simpson Desert Map. The South Australian section of the Simpson Desert is divided into 3 protected areas, Simpson Desert Conservation Park, Simpson Desert Regional Reserve and Witjira National Park … The most remote route across the Simpson Desert is the Madigan Line, which cuts across the north of the desert and follows then head north to meet the French Line. However, we have to say that there is nothing like a July night in the Simpson Desert, spent sleeping under the stars. As an example, the drive across the French Line and QAA line is the shortest, the most used and the most difficult route, Empower your adventurous side with practical information from off the beaten track, Discover somewhere new to explore with comprehensive off-road trip guides, Find information and insights on all things camping, touring and off-road. From Aboriginal explorers through to the early European settlers and up until now, the Simpson PARTNER WITH US Most travellers The Georgina River flows through the property in channels that are approximately 60 centimetres (24 in) deep but spread out on floodplains over 20 kilometres (12 mi) wide. January and February are the hottest months of the year. has resided in the hearts and minds of lovers of Australia’s red centre; so make your addition to that proud history for the simple fact that many of the climbs have been dug out from use. We did the Simpson Desert tour from West to East with Paul Stafford. Moomba Airport is 290 miles from Simpson Desert, so the actual climate in Simpson Desert can vary a bit. The dunes are also lower, but are often more technical as they can have double dune crests. Sample Map View. Be aware that all national parks in the Simpson Desert are closed in summer, from 1 December-15 March. That means in each direction we need to cover 500km without refueling Whether you’re a ‘desert lover’ (AKA seriphile) or just someone looking for a serious 4WD journey, this informative guide with its easy-to-follow maps, is an indispensable companion. Simpson Desert - Australia The Simpson Desert is a remote, 4wd challenging, region, that is located in the northern areas of South Australia, southern sections of the Northern Territory and up into the South West of … Nearest unique sightseeing spots to visit. Sand flags must be 300x290mm in size, The tour is perfect for everyone who loves 4wheeldrive tracks and cars. A$0.00. It is made up of big red sand dunes up to 40 m (44 yd) high, 190 km (118 mi) long and about 1 km (1 mi) apart. Most travellers Simpson Desert IBRA subregion. If you’d like to learn more about the history, exploration, flora and fauna of the desert, then The Simpson Desert by Mark Shephard is the ultimate book to read. The WAA Line is less trafficked than the French, and also has less corrugations with which to contend. The graph defaults to current time. However, there’s also ways to experience the Simpson Desert WITHOUT needing to weeks to see it or advanced 4WDing skills (we’ll show you how below). So on this page, we’ve put together an overview of this iconic desert, packed with information and links that you’ll need if you’re planning a trip into the Simpson. That’s right. west, with most travellers opting to drive west to east to make driving over windswept dunes easier. It’s the most direct track across the desert. The Outdoor Journal outdoorjournal.com and legendary explorer Mike Horn cross the Simpson Desert in Australia. If you’re planning a crossing, you’ll absolutely need a well-prepared 4WD and previous 4WDing experience. far away from the soaring temperatures of a desert summer. The Rig Road was originally built to allow trucks to access the oil exploration area, so it's a better option for larger vehicles; the track also retains a strong feeling of remoteness that can be missing from the French Line in the peak season. If you are planning a trip to the desert, DO NOT leave home without this map pack. The Simpson Desert is a very dry part of Australia.It is mainly in the Northern Territory, but also in the north of South Australia and western Queensland.It covers about 176,500 square km, about 2.3% of Australia. The Simpson Desert gets less than 150 ml of rain each year. For communications, scanning UHF CB channel Environment The Simpson Desert is the driest region of Australia and it is a dunal desert - a sea of parallel red sand ridges around 300-500 kilometres long covering a total area of 170,000 square kilometres. It is situated approximately 60 miles (97 km) west of Birdsville bordering the Simpson Desert National Park. The Simpson Desert is the common name given to the area between Birdsville in the South West Corner of Queensland to Dalhousie Springs in the far north of South Australia near the Northern Territory border and actually lies across the corners of 3 States - South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. The Coolest and Largest Oceanariums in the World. There are a number of large dunes to cross and many of the climbs become degraded in the course of any given season. Simpson Desert Map - Edition 2 is bundled with the Mud Map 2 iPhone iPad app and is also available for $9.99 from www.mud-maps.com as a digital download. Leave the Stuart Highway at Kulgera, and head to Finke, then drive to New Crown Station. Make sure you carry at least one form of satellite communicator. You can find them here. There are no facilities, services or … Simpson Desert - interactive map. The Simpson Desert is both beautiful AND challenging. Just like the Hema Desert Tracks Guide, Hema’s Simpson Desert Map is packed with must-know details. Across the Simpson, parallel dunes rising to 90 m run south-east to north-west, the dominant wind direction when they formed during the Pleistocene epoch about 80,000 years ago. Other use special ways to find it, like underground coal gasification, whih can contaminate underground water basins.Both pose obvious problems.