TRIP REPORT : MickL's Simpson Desert trip

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

I have finally found time to start putting together a trip report for our recent crossing of the Simpson Desert.

With 3000 pictures taken I have a little work ahead of me so please be patient while I go through them and pick out the ones that give the best cross section of the terrain covered and the experience we had.

In the end no fellow Prado Point members came along so it was down to myself to carry the Prado flag.

Our convoy consisted of four vehicles: A V6 R50 Pathfinder, a non turbo 4.2 diesel GQ Patrol, a 1kz turbo diesel Surf and my own 1kz TD Prado.

DAY ONE

22.August

Day one consisted of a long days driving with the intention of getting the black stuff well behind us and getting into Coward Springs early enough to get a decent campsite.
We left Adelaide at 6am with the first stop being Pt Augusta for a splash and dash fuel stop for the Pathfinder. What started out as steady rain as we left Adelaide thinned out to the odd shower by the time we got to Woomera.





There was even a little water to be seen in some of the salt lakes:



A quick stop at Woomera to use the “Facilities” ….. still plenty of good rain showers around too.



Lunch was had between Roxby and Olympic Dam… we simply pulled off the road a couple of 100 meters and found a shady spot.



Soon after we hit the dirt of the Borefield Road before turning onto the Oodnadatta.













The first stop of significance was Curdimurka RS























Quick stop at Lake Eyre South…. Not a drop of water in sight…





And finally our camp for night one… Coward Springs…













DAY TWO
Coming soon….

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Re: Mickl's Simpson Desert Trip

A great start Mick.

[sapradogxl Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close sapradogxl]

Re: Mickl's Simpson Desert Trip

Mick,

These pics are great! Sure makes me wished I had been able to come along....

Looking forward to the next installment

Dave

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: Mickl's Simpson Desert Trip

Awesome, we'll be back there next year going to the places we missed on out trip this year.

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

Re: Mickl's Simpson Desert Trip

Looking good there Mick. Seems like much different weather to what we experienced your the first day.

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

Re: Mickl's Simpson Desert Trip

Just got back from our trip as well. We camped in exactly the site at Coward Springs! Look forward to seeing the rest of your pics!

[joey Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close joey]

Re: Mickl's Simpson Desert Trip

Thanks for sharing Mick thats awsome stuff mate.....have to get there some time in the near future...

cheers
joey

[ABD Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ABD]

Re: Mickl's Simpson Desert Trip

Thank you for sharing the start of your trip Mick.
Being very new to travel in SA I would be very interested to know the actual dates of your trip.
I was very interested to read the story early this week about the guy rescued from near Birdsville.
http://tinyurl.com/y8wv9hu

When I am better organised I will have to post photos and details of our recent solo trip from the Flinders, Arkaroola, Cameron Corner to Broken Hill

Cheers
Chris

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Mickl's Simpson Desert Trip

DAY TWO:

23. August.

After leaving Coward Springs we did a quick double back to have a look at Blanche Cup and The Bubbler in Mound Springs Conservation Park.

























Then heading north again it was on to Strangways Overland Telegraph Station. There’s not too much left standing there but worth a stop none the less.















Next stop ad our lunch break was at William Creek. It was crazy at WC with vehicles coming and going and planes overhead… all due to there being water in Lake Eyre. Funny thing was no one was in the pub… all the tourists must be scared of the locals. At least we had the bar to ourselves as we had a beer and a burger!
We also had a quick look at the old rockets before moving on.















One more stop before the days destination. Good spot to camp although we didn’t as Peake was our planned camp site. The ruins are in very good condition and well set back from the road. The dam had water in it (Didn’t when I stopped here last year) and was probably suitable for a swim if you didn’t mind the muddy banks.













Our camp for the night was at Peake Overland Telegraph Station. The road out there is a PAR (Public Access Route) on private land. It’s a rough as guts track corrugation wise but well worth the discomfort. Almost guaranteed to be alone if you camp out here… fantastic camping just over the creek and it the tree line.












We decided as it was getting late to set up camp and explore the ruins the following day. An old ground flare provided the nights entertainment… boys will be boys!









What you don’t want crawling into your swag…..




Day three coming soon...

Mick

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: MickL's Simpson Desert Trip Report

Day 3.

24 August

We spent the morning exploring the old telegraph station, old copper mine and grave site. The gaves are located in the hills to the east of Peake, across the creek and along a very faint track (But not hard to find)





























Track out of Peake and back to the Oodnadatta track:









Next stop was Algebuckina Bridge and water hole, before heading into Oodnadatta for a burger and beer at the Pink Roadhouse.
















The final run up to Mt Dare; We camped right down the back of the camping area and with only two or three other groups there it was pretty quiet. Had a few beers at the bar and a snoop around the station at the few relics laying around.

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

Re: MickL's Simpson Desert Trip Report

Brilliant stuff Mick!

Those pics in front of Mt Dare Hotel make me think we ought to have our very own PP parking spaces - I have a bunch of pics just like it .

LFaR.

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: MickL's Simpson Desert Trip Report

Day 4

25 August.

Mt Dare to Purni Bore.

Up until now day time temps had been mid to low 20's with the odd sprinkle of rain, but the days start to get warmer, up to low thirtys and humid like a bastard. At least it was overcast so the sun didn't burn a hole in your head!

We took the direct route to Dalhousie from Mt Dare. It’s a rough track with some sections of soccer ball sized rocks to dodge. We dropped to low 20 psi tyre pressures and none of the 4 vehicles suffered any tyre damage.

Our lunch stop was at Dalhousie, along with a well deserved swim and cold (only) shower.

We camped between the dunes near Purni Bore.

You might notice the Pathy has the bonnet up quite a lot from now on... it was running very hot once we hit the sand and regular stops were taken to let things cool down...

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: TRIP REPORT : MickL's Simpson Desert trip

Day 5

26 August

Purni bore to The Lone Gum via Rig Road/WAA line/Erabeena track. Plus a short side trip to Glen Joyce well.

Good days driving with temps creeping up to the 30 degree mark as the cloud cover cleared. The WAA is harder going than the Rig Road but a better ride/drive (The Rig being a chopped up piece of crap in most part)

Sorry it's a bit thin on text but I'm always short on time... besides the pictures tell the story!









































































Mick

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

Re: TRIP REPORT : MickL's Simpson Desert trip

A trip I'd love to do one day, Mick. Lots of red!!! 8)

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: TRIP REPORT : MickL's Simpson Desert trip

A trip I'd love to do one day, Mick. Lots of red!!!

Stay tuned if you want to tag along next year :wink:

Mick