Simpson and Surrounds 2026 #2
Date and time: 8:00am, Tuesday 7th July to 4:00pm Sunday 19th July
Trip Standard: Medium
Description: The trip organised by Robert Pepper departing on 5th July has quickly filled, so a second trip a few days later is now planned lead by Guy Stevens. Departure will not be before 7th July, but can be a day or two later if that better suits participants. In the event the Simpson is closed due to water hazards or damage, we will have forewarning from the first group and will take an alternative route such as go over the top via Plenty Highway, Flinders Ranges, Googs Track (aka mini Simpson), Coffin Bay, Eyre Peninsula and more.
Outback trip – Melbourne, Oodnadatta Track, Simpson Desert, Birdsville, Betoota, Dig Tree, various Corners such as Cameron, Melbourne.
Equipment required:
Mandatory
- 4x4 vehicle
- 4 tyres of LT construction, full-sized spare and wheel, preferably 1 additional spare tyre which may be on a wheel or not.
- Plug tyre repair kit.
- Air compressor.
- Sand flag.
- Fuel sufficient to cross Simpson – this will require either a long range tank (beyond the usual standard of 80L) or jerrycans.
- Food & water sufficient to cross Simpson – plan for 5 days, we won’t take that long but to allow a buffer.
- Shovel for sand recovery.
- Snatch strap or KERR.
- Basic tools – spanners, multi-meter, screwdrivers, knife, tapes, file, pliers etc, any spares appropriate for your vehicle.
- 80-channel UHF radio 5-watt, in-car mount.
- At least 1 handheld UHF radio.
- Vehicle pre-trip inspected.
Recommended
- Satellite comms system e.g. satphone, sat communicator, PLB. We will have a Starlink in addition.
- Traction ramps e.g. Maxtrax, x4.
As this is an extended trip, we will have a separate briefing and meeting to do the detailed planning.
No camper trailers, pets or firearms
Maps and Reference Material: Hema outback maps covering the area
Fuel: Sufficient to cross the Simpson – we will discuss this closer to the time.
Distance: Most days will be driving of 3-6 hours.
Duration: Approx 14 days
Convoy limit: 4 vehicles
Meeting arrangements: TBA
Club Guest Registration policy: It is club policy in regard to insurance cover that if a member brings any non-members on the trip they must be registered and have paid the required fee as Temporary Members BEFORE the event.
i.e. non- members can no longer register on the day with the trip leader.
Temporary Membership information and ways to register can be found at:
Temporary (Guest) Membership
Also if a non-member wishes to bring their own vehicle, the member inviting the non-member must contact the trip leader for approval to bring the vehicle. Such approval will take into account skills of the driver, suitability of the vehicle and whether or not a place within the convoy limit is available for a non-member's vehicle.
Trip Leader: Guy Stevens / 0412 guylaptop@gmail.com / 0412 997 588
