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Hi all, I wrote up a report of our recent holiday up to the Simpson that we just got back from the other day for my clubs newsletter so I'd thought I'd share it with you. Hope you like it.
Kev
Today was the day; the trip to the Simpson Desert was upon us. No more time for any more preparation or planning. If we had forgotten something, then to bad, we most likely wouldn?t need it. We made tracks for Murray Bridge. Here our friends would be waiting for us at the motel they had booked for the night. The next morning seen us all up early and packed ready for the next leg of our journey. With plenty of breaks for a cup of tea or snack we headed for Coober Pedy. We went the back way around Adelaide and took in some of the great sights on offer. 877kms later we arrived at the caravan park in Coober Pedy. Setting up camp we were soon fed and relaxed. Waking up at 6 the next morning (this became to norm for the rest of the trip) we headed off to take the little one noodling in the local noodling pit to see if we could find that elusive opal. Not so. Catching up with the others, we found the local German bakery for a supply of fresh rolls and bread.
Fuelling up then seen us heading for Oodnadatta via Marla. We stopped for lunch and fuel at Marla and whist the kids soon found the water sprinkler a great bit of fun. It would be good to do this end of the Oodnadatta Track as we didn?t get to do it last year. The track was in great condition and we made good time. An easy day?s travel of 437kms.
Tuesday had us heading to Mt Dare vie Hamilton. Stopping at Mt Dare we fuelled up the tanks and jerry cans. Had a couple of ice cold beers at the pub and a bite to eat.
Next stop was to be Purni Bore 379kms away. The track was a little rougher and the temperature outside was getting up around 35deg. Getting to Dalhousie we sought out the springs and soon having a splash despite the 35 Deg plus temperature of the hot springs. Quite a lot of bird life was a plus at the springs. Getting out of the hot springs was good as the when the breeze hit you, it also cooled you down. It was decided that it was still too early to set up camp so we made for Purni Bore.
The track was rough and the vehicles were shaken but we made it in one piece. After checking out the water hole we soon set up camp. The kids had a cool shower and again tea was had. The night was great. Clear skies gave a great view of the stars. After putting the kids to bed we sat back and relaxed enjoying the peace of the desert. This was soon broken by the howls of the local dingoes. After reassuring children that there was nothing to worry about she soon settled back to sleep. We sat up and tried to call in the dingoes to have a look. We could here the sounds of the dogs feet and could also hear the sound of what we believed were pups. Turning on the torch soon had us spotting a couple of them. Bed was great and sleep even better until the local Donkey decided to trot thru what seemed to be the centre of camp and let out a loud bellow waking us all. ?Cheeky donkey? the kids said the next morning
Purni Bore
Packing up in the cool of the morning again had us on the road. We travelled east along the French line and then turned South down the Rig Road. We followed the Rig Road down and east around to Walkandi Junction. Then headed north to look at the Lone Gum Tree, Stopping to take some pics. We then headed north and turned east at the WAA Junction on to the WAA Line stopping about 15km along to set up camp for the night. We covered 206kms easily today due to the Rig Road being most clay hard track. The WAA Line we found much slower going as being mostly close dunes which reminded me of driving around the dunes at Southend. Quite often I expected to see the ocean at the top of some dunes due to the similarity.
The next morning seen we had a great cook up of Scrambled eggs, Bacon, tomatoes and toast for breakfast. After feeding the troops we packed up our gear. It wasn?t long after this that the other driver got a bad cramp in his stomach and felt crook. Couldn?t be the brekkie as the rest of us were OK. My missus took the wheel of the Mighty Pajero and I drove the Patrol to give him a rest. We continued east and then turned north onto Knolls Track and then east onto the French Line. After lunch, the other driver felt better and took the wheel of the Patrol once again. We headed for Poepple corner. Taking the mandatory pics in three States we headed up the K1 Line and east onto the QAA Line. We came across a New V8 SWB Troopy on the K1 Line travelling alone. Upon noticing the there were 5 adults in the car, one stock spare tyre, back loaded with swags, we then wondered where the rest of their gear was. They asked us how many hours it was to get to Dalhousie Spring. I told them that we were on our third day in the desert and it was not a matter of hours. They continued on, leaving us to wonder. We could not fathom as to where their spare fuel and water was for the trip. We hope they made it. We set up camp on the K1 Line after completing 158kms for the day. A great night with a good fire burning and the cold beer made it better.
Packed we headed for Birdsville 103kms away. The dunes got further apart and also got bigger the closer we got to Birdsville. After a near miss with a feral Pajero coming up the other side of the dune causing the Patrol to veer off and me to hit the anchors (the feral Paj didn?t want to stop. No flag or radio and travelling alone) we soon pulled up and what I was told was Big Red. It was of good size but I some how expected it to be bigger. We sat back and watched the Patrol have first crack at it. He made it about ? the way up. After he backed down I threw the NM tiptronic into manual mode and made our run at Big Red. Up and over we went with ease, one to the Pajero. The view once over was not what we were expecting. We thought more sand on the other side, not to be blown away with the green view that greeted us, wow. We then got out at the top and watched the Patrol make his second approach, again stopping in about the same spot as before. For his third attempt he let out more air from his tyres and made it up easily over the top. To show off I put the Pajero back over the top this time on a different part of the Dune, West to East with not much run up at all, and again East to West.
Over Big Red
We then headed into Birdsville for lunch at the local bakery. We fuelled up and threw all our clothes in the washing machines at the van park. We headed for the museum for a look. The museum is well recommended if you come to Birdsville. Then back to pick up our dry clean clothes. Being now 40deg outside the pub was the next stop for a cold beer and dinner. Being Friday night, the pub was full and we were entertained by two bush poets in the bar. Not only did they have the adults laughing but also had the kids entranced in some of their funny poems. A great meal was also served up. We headed out of town and set up camp for the night.
mmmm,cold beeeeerrrrr
The next morning we headed back to the Bakery for a restock and headed out of town towards Innamincka. We took the Outside Track South and then cut across Walkers Crossing Track. A good track and good time was made. Arriving at Innamincka 386kms later we looked for a room or cabin for the night as treat. The van park cabins and pub rooms were booked out. We were told of a homestay in town but were given the wrong directions to find it. After driving around we took the kids for a swim in Cooper Creek. It?s amazing how much water is in this creek. Whilst having a swim a call over the radio told us our companions had found the Cooper Creek Homestay and got a good rate for us. After the others down for a swim we headed for the Homestay. What a great set up, with an outside kitchen, good size rooms and very welcoming hosts Geoff and Julie, we thought we could do no better. What luxury after camping for a week. We also had a good view of the town. If you come to Innamincka we recommend staying here. Geoff, one of our host?s drives an OKA bus and reckons he could show us some sights no other 4wheelers get to see. Maybe a reason for a club trip???? With the Guitar out and Geoff and Julie and one of their friends joining us, a great night was again had by all.
The next morning we said our goodbyes to Geoff and Julie. We checked out the local cemetery and then headed for Bourke?s grave. After this we travelled on to the famous Dig Tree. The local mud map is a bit out on scale but we soon worked out where we were heading. After checking out the dig tree and reading up the information about it, we continued onward towards Tibooburra. 420kms total for the day. Well before arriving in Tibooburra the mobiles started going off with ring tone firing up all at once. We found the local van park and settled in for the night having a swim in an icy cool pool before dinner.
The next day was an easy 335kms down to Broken Hill for two nights to have a break and check out the local attractions. We booked a cabin each at the van park as the cost was not much more than a camping site. With cabins soughted we headed into town to do some shopping and restock the essentials. The following morning we went to town to check some other shops and headed out for an underground mine tour. This was a very interesting tour that led us down approx 150 ft; though low area?s where you had to just about get on your hands to get through. It?s amazing how some of the old miners had worked to move the rock to find that elusive Silver. After this we headed for Silverton for lunch and a check of the towns past historic buildings and the local watering hole for a beer and look at all the pics of the movies made in and around Silverton.
Waking the next day seen us saying goodbye to our friends, as we decided to head for home, getting an early start. Our friends stayed to check out more in town and visit rello?s on the way home as they had a few more days off than I did. With lots of breaks we finally pull in the driveway at a reasonable hour that afternoon. A great trip and I would do it again with out hesitation. We had covered a total of 4788kms for the trip. Mt Dare to Birdsville was 605km and I averaged 22lt per 100km (3.5lt V6 Petrol Pajero) and the Patrol averaged 19lt per 100km (3.0lt T Diesel) for the Simpson crossing.
Kev
Simpson Trip 07
Today was the day; the trip to the Simpson Desert was upon us. No more time for any more preparation or planning. If we had forgotten something, then to bad, we most likely wouldn?t need it. We made tracks for Murray Bridge. Here our friends would be waiting for us at the motel they had booked for the night. The next morning seen us all up early and packed ready for the next leg of our journey. With plenty of breaks for a cup of tea or snack we headed for Coober Pedy. We went the back way around Adelaide and took in some of the great sights on offer. 877kms later we arrived at the caravan park in Coober Pedy. Setting up camp we were soon fed and relaxed. Waking up at 6 the next morning (this became to norm for the rest of the trip) we headed off to take the little one noodling in the local noodling pit to see if we could find that elusive opal. Not so. Catching up with the others, we found the local German bakery for a supply of fresh rolls and bread.
Fuelling up then seen us heading for Oodnadatta via Marla. We stopped for lunch and fuel at Marla and whist the kids soon found the water sprinkler a great bit of fun. It would be good to do this end of the Oodnadatta Track as we didn?t get to do it last year. The track was in great condition and we made good time. An easy day?s travel of 437kms.
Tuesday had us heading to Mt Dare vie Hamilton. Stopping at Mt Dare we fuelled up the tanks and jerry cans. Had a couple of ice cold beers at the pub and a bite to eat.
Next stop was to be Purni Bore 379kms away. The track was a little rougher and the temperature outside was getting up around 35deg. Getting to Dalhousie we sought out the springs and soon having a splash despite the 35 Deg plus temperature of the hot springs. Quite a lot of bird life was a plus at the springs. Getting out of the hot springs was good as the when the breeze hit you, it also cooled you down. It was decided that it was still too early to set up camp so we made for Purni Bore.
The track was rough and the vehicles were shaken but we made it in one piece. After checking out the water hole we soon set up camp. The kids had a cool shower and again tea was had. The night was great. Clear skies gave a great view of the stars. After putting the kids to bed we sat back and relaxed enjoying the peace of the desert. This was soon broken by the howls of the local dingoes. After reassuring children that there was nothing to worry about she soon settled back to sleep. We sat up and tried to call in the dingoes to have a look. We could here the sounds of the dogs feet and could also hear the sound of what we believed were pups. Turning on the torch soon had us spotting a couple of them. Bed was great and sleep even better until the local Donkey decided to trot thru what seemed to be the centre of camp and let out a loud bellow waking us all. ?Cheeky donkey? the kids said the next morning
Purni Bore
Packing up in the cool of the morning again had us on the road. We travelled east along the French line and then turned South down the Rig Road. We followed the Rig Road down and east around to Walkandi Junction. Then headed north to look at the Lone Gum Tree, Stopping to take some pics. We then headed north and turned east at the WAA Junction on to the WAA Line stopping about 15km along to set up camp for the night. We covered 206kms easily today due to the Rig Road being most clay hard track. The WAA Line we found much slower going as being mostly close dunes which reminded me of driving around the dunes at Southend. Quite often I expected to see the ocean at the top of some dunes due to the similarity.
The next morning seen we had a great cook up of Scrambled eggs, Bacon, tomatoes and toast for breakfast. After feeding the troops we packed up our gear. It wasn?t long after this that the other driver got a bad cramp in his stomach and felt crook. Couldn?t be the brekkie as the rest of us were OK. My missus took the wheel of the Mighty Pajero and I drove the Patrol to give him a rest. We continued east and then turned north onto Knolls Track and then east onto the French Line. After lunch, the other driver felt better and took the wheel of the Patrol once again. We headed for Poepple corner. Taking the mandatory pics in three States we headed up the K1 Line and east onto the QAA Line. We came across a New V8 SWB Troopy on the K1 Line travelling alone. Upon noticing the there were 5 adults in the car, one stock spare tyre, back loaded with swags, we then wondered where the rest of their gear was. They asked us how many hours it was to get to Dalhousie Spring. I told them that we were on our third day in the desert and it was not a matter of hours. They continued on, leaving us to wonder. We could not fathom as to where their spare fuel and water was for the trip. We hope they made it. We set up camp on the K1 Line after completing 158kms for the day. A great night with a good fire burning and the cold beer made it better.
Packed we headed for Birdsville 103kms away. The dunes got further apart and also got bigger the closer we got to Birdsville. After a near miss with a feral Pajero coming up the other side of the dune causing the Patrol to veer off and me to hit the anchors (the feral Paj didn?t want to stop. No flag or radio and travelling alone) we soon pulled up and what I was told was Big Red. It was of good size but I some how expected it to be bigger. We sat back and watched the Patrol have first crack at it. He made it about ? the way up. After he backed down I threw the NM tiptronic into manual mode and made our run at Big Red. Up and over we went with ease, one to the Pajero. The view once over was not what we were expecting. We thought more sand on the other side, not to be blown away with the green view that greeted us, wow. We then got out at the top and watched the Patrol make his second approach, again stopping in about the same spot as before. For his third attempt he let out more air from his tyres and made it up easily over the top. To show off I put the Pajero back over the top this time on a different part of the Dune, West to East with not much run up at all, and again East to West.
Over Big Red
We then headed into Birdsville for lunch at the local bakery. We fuelled up and threw all our clothes in the washing machines at the van park. We headed for the museum for a look. The museum is well recommended if you come to Birdsville. Then back to pick up our dry clean clothes. Being now 40deg outside the pub was the next stop for a cold beer and dinner. Being Friday night, the pub was full and we were entertained by two bush poets in the bar. Not only did they have the adults laughing but also had the kids entranced in some of their funny poems. A great meal was also served up. We headed out of town and set up camp for the night.
mmmm,cold beeeeerrrrr
The next morning we headed back to the Bakery for a restock and headed out of town towards Innamincka. We took the Outside Track South and then cut across Walkers Crossing Track. A good track and good time was made. Arriving at Innamincka 386kms later we looked for a room or cabin for the night as treat. The van park cabins and pub rooms were booked out. We were told of a homestay in town but were given the wrong directions to find it. After driving around we took the kids for a swim in Cooper Creek. It?s amazing how much water is in this creek. Whilst having a swim a call over the radio told us our companions had found the Cooper Creek Homestay and got a good rate for us. After the others down for a swim we headed for the Homestay. What a great set up, with an outside kitchen, good size rooms and very welcoming hosts Geoff and Julie, we thought we could do no better. What luxury after camping for a week. We also had a good view of the town. If you come to Innamincka we recommend staying here. Geoff, one of our host?s drives an OKA bus and reckons he could show us some sights no other 4wheelers get to see. Maybe a reason for a club trip???? With the Guitar out and Geoff and Julie and one of their friends joining us, a great night was again had by all.
The next morning we said our goodbyes to Geoff and Julie. We checked out the local cemetery and then headed for Bourke?s grave. After this we travelled on to the famous Dig Tree. The local mud map is a bit out on scale but we soon worked out where we were heading. After checking out the dig tree and reading up the information about it, we continued onward towards Tibooburra. 420kms total for the day. Well before arriving in Tibooburra the mobiles started going off with ring tone firing up all at once. We found the local van park and settled in for the night having a swim in an icy cool pool before dinner.
The next day was an easy 335kms down to Broken Hill for two nights to have a break and check out the local attractions. We booked a cabin each at the van park as the cost was not much more than a camping site. With cabins soughted we headed into town to do some shopping and restock the essentials. The following morning we went to town to check some other shops and headed out for an underground mine tour. This was a very interesting tour that led us down approx 150 ft; though low area?s where you had to just about get on your hands to get through. It?s amazing how some of the old miners had worked to move the rock to find that elusive Silver. After this we headed for Silverton for lunch and a check of the towns past historic buildings and the local watering hole for a beer and look at all the pics of the movies made in and around Silverton.
Waking the next day seen us saying goodbye to our friends, as we decided to head for home, getting an early start. Our friends stayed to check out more in town and visit rello?s on the way home as they had a few more days off than I did. With lots of breaks we finally pull in the driveway at a reasonable hour that afternoon. A great trip and I would do it again with out hesitation. We had covered a total of 4788kms for the trip. Mt Dare to Birdsville was 605km and I averaged 22lt per 100km (3.5lt V6 Petrol Pajero) and the Patrol averaged 19lt per 100km (3.0lt T Diesel) for the Simpson crossing.
) 
as long as the pub is open I'll be happy.
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