Simpson Desert Crossing Alice Springs to Mt Dare Dalhousie Birdsville Boulia Alice Springs 10 days
- Duration: 10 Days (approx.)
- Product code: 50SSS10
10 days Simpson Desert Tour Alice Springs return to Alice Springs – or 8 day option
Itinerary as 10 day tour to Birdsville then 2 options – fly out Day 8 from Birdsville (Rex airlines) to Brisbane or other options.
Day 1 – Alice Springs to Chambers Pillar – Depart 8 am for a special and rare opportunity to visit the Ewaninga Aboriginal rock art site, then Maryvale Cattle Station and Titjikala Aboriginal Artists in the community. We leave Titjikala and cross the Hugh River, travelling through Maryvale cattle station, then from a high vantage point view Chambers Pillar and the sandhills rolling into the Simpson Desert. We arrive at Chambers Pillar and enjoy an afternoon walk around this special place (which has more than 1 pillar). We make camp here for the night under the stars. LD
Day 2 – Departing Chambers Pillar we travel the Old Ghan Railway route and visit Rodinga Siding, one of the last built and most Northern fettlers cottages on the Old Ghan Line. We visit the historic Bundooma Railway Siding after crossing the Finke River, the site of a few famous Old Ghan bridges and river washouts, to arrive in the active Aboriginal community and ex Ghan stop of Finke. Its then on to Lambert’s Centre of Australia, Charlotte Waters (an old OTL Telegraph Station), NT/SA border crossing, then Mt Dare Hotel for overnight camp or accommodation upgrade option. BLD
Day 3 – We enter Witjira National Park and visit Bloods Creek Bore preserved cattle yards from bygone days and Oppossum Waterhole. Arrive at Dalhousie Springs, a vast area of natural springs outpouring from the Great Artesian Basin – Dalhousie Springs is a series of 60 natural artesian springs from the Great Artesian Basin. Swim option at Dalhousie Springs in 38-43 Deg C water. Enter the Simpson Desert Regional Reserve – Overnight camp on the edge of the Simpson Desert. BLD
Day 4 – Heading into the Simpson Desert we cross the floodplains of Spring Creek Delta then moving into numerous salt lakes and higher sand dunes. Spectacular views from the top and great feeling of nurturing by nature within the dunes. We travel over and between the sandhills. Great photo opportunities, maybe a dingo or two to see, sunsets and sunrises and wildflowers. Enjoy the campfire at our remote desert camp BLDDay 5 – 6 - We cross more salt lakes, and plenty of sand dunes, but also travel parallel to the dunes for a different perspective of the landscape. We visit the Approdinna Attora Knolls, high gypsum hills with a great lookout over the desert. Take a break at Poeppel's Corner marking the meeting of QLD, NT & SA borders. Overnight under the stars in our remote camp.
Day 7 – We cross the Eyre Creek and traverse the largest sandhill, Big Red – originally known as Nappanerica Dune, on the western edge of Lake Nappanerica, and the eastern edge of The Simpson Desert. Overnight accommodation in the Birdsville Hotel. BLD
Day 8 – Optional morning Lake Eyre, Goyder Lagoon & Simpson Desert flights (book early). Enjoy the iconic outback town of Birdsville, once a custom post for cattle heading south to Adelaide markets, now centre of an organic beef export industry, full of fascinating outback experiences. Have a cuppa at the Hard Road Café, check out the airport adjacent the pub, and the historic sights of the town including the marked tree at Camp LXXVI of the Burke and Wills expedition of 1860. View the now historic thermal power station running on hot water from the Great Artesian Basin, or take a joy flight over the Simpson and Goyder Lagoon area. 7 Day tour ends here with flights (own cost) from Birdsville to Brisbane or elsewhere. After lunch we depart and travel due north through Channel Country and the Diamantina Shire HQ at Bedourie, crossing several creeks and water holes often hosting wetland birds including Brolgas. Arrive Boulia for overnight at Australia Hotel or Boulia Desert Sands Motel. BLD
Day 9 – The Min Min Encounter is a theatre presentation at the visitors centre, where we learn of the fascinating story of the Min Min lights phenomena – a mystery of strange red lights appearing and following people in this remote desert region. We depart after the exhibition and town tour for Tobermorey via the Plenty Highway and the northern boundary of the Simpson Desert. Onward takes us via Jervois, which is our last fuel stop. Jervois is a cattle station, formed in 1960, and one of the last stations to be taken up in the area. We can enjoy an open campfire under the stars tonight. Camping here as this is our last night under the stars. BLD
Day 10 – From Jervois, we pass by giant termite nests and nearby the rugged Harts Range. Enjoy a stop at the remote Atitjere community Aboriginal Arts centre, nestled at the base of the Harts Ranges, Atitjere is home to around 400 people. Time permitting, a stopover at Gemtree and check out the gems, crystals and mineral specimens as well as local Aboriginal Art and artifacts at this popular gem fossicking region. Arrive in Alice Springs for overnight and a celebratory meal together. BLD Tour completes after dinner.
Tag along travellers in their own cars may wish to depart at Birdsville to head south to Adelaide or east to Brisbane
This fully inclusive tour is by small group luxury 4WD travel.