Date and time:  9:00am, Wednesday 3rd August to 4:00pm Sunday 4th September

Description:  Please contact your trip leader if you are unsure of any of the following requirements for this trip.

We have both travelled on these routes many times over the years. John's 1st trip was 1986 and Prue's was in 1997. Combining amazing scenery, interesting driving (including hundreds of sand dunes), history and flora and fauna, this should be a special adventure.

Some highlights includes Broken Hill, Farina, Marree, Lake Eyre (opportunities to take a flight over Lake Eyre), the Oodnadatta Track,  Coward Springs, some Old Ghan relics, mound springs, William Creek, day trips out from our base in Alice Springs before we travel in a west east direction across the Simpson Desert. Utilising 6 different tracks and lines across the desert we will visit Poeppel Corner on the way to Birdsville. We hope to camp at Coongie Lakes and visit the iconic Burke & Wills sites on the way to Cameron’s Corner. Travelling on the Strzelecki Track we then explore the Flinders ranges before heading home.

As we will be travelling in remote areas where weather changes and vehicle and other issues can lead to route changes, the itinerary will be subject to alteration at the trip leader's discretion.

There will be a pre trip meeting to discuss arrangements and a vehicle inspection. 

Weather:  Warm days and possible freezing nights.  Review the Central Australia weather forecast leading up to the trip and bring appropriate clothing, footwear and camping gear.

Equipment:   At least All Terrain tyres with no less than 85% tread. Please check the date of manufacture of your tyres.  Low Range, Snatch strap & shackle, UHF Radio, 2 spare wheels (or spare wheel and tyre case) with good tread on tyres.  This list is by no means exhaustive. Further information will be provided and discussed but you will be expected to be self sufficient in many ways.  

Spare parts and tools as recommended by your 4WD specialist workshop. These will include spare shocker absorbers and hoses. While some assistance from the group may be available for vehicle repairs, this should not be relied on. A commercial recovery from the desert, should it be available, will cost many thousands of dollars.  RACV Totalcare or equivalent, full Ambulance cover, comprehensive vehicle insurance.

A good first aid kit, A 5 watt UHF radio and suitable fitted aerial. A hand held radio is suggested if walking away from camp.   A satellite phone if you have one

Accommodation will be bush camping, caravan parks and hotel and motels at your discretion where available

Water and food for up to 8 days with emergency rations is required for the desert crossing.  All camping and cooking equipment. Footwear, clothing, hats and bedding suitable for hot and cold weather and possibly freezing nights.  Fly net and mosquito protection. There are a number of food quarantine measures to be aware of. Further specialised information will be provided. 

Morning tea and lunches will be on the track each day – byo simple, “on the move” lunches and morning teas (byo thermos).

No camper trailers, pets or firearms

Additional Equipment required: A Desert Parks Pass is to be purchased at your cost. This is required to travel and camp in some of the areas we will be travelling in. 

There are many providers of maps and information for our route. Westprint and Hema are recommended. 

Trip Standard:  Hard.  Driver Training is recommended, familiarity with your own vehicle traction aids is required as well as the ability to change your own wheels and tyres.

Fuel:  Fuel for an 800km range using a 1.5 ratio to normal highway driving for desert travel, due to the heavy sand conditions and climbing of the sand dunes, is required. Last fuel before the desert will be at Mt Dare and the next fuel will at Birdsville.

Distance:  Approx. 8,500 Km

Duration: 33 days

Convoy limit:  6 vehicles

Meeting arrangements:  We plan to meet at 9.00am sharp at the BP outbound, 937 Calder Freeway, Calder Park .  If you plan to get coffee beforehand then you will need to arrive a little earlier.  

Trip Leaders: John and Prue Hasler. Members click here for contact details