The Simpson Desert occupies approximately 176,500 square kilometres of Central Australia.
It is bounded to the west by the Finke River and Mabel Range, to the north by the Adam Range, to the east by the Georgina and Diamantina Rivers, with Lake Eyre to the south. Its average annual rainfall is less than 200mm.
The Simpson Desert is underlain by the Great Artesian Basin, water from which rises to the surface at numerous natural locations, including Dalhousie Springs, and at bores drilled along stock routes, or during gas and oil exploration.
As a result of exploitation by such bores, the flow of water to springs has been steadily decreasing in recent years.
The Simpson Desert is an area which contains the world’s longest parallel sand dunes. These north-south oriented dunes are static, and are held in position by vegetation. They vary in height from 3 metres in the west to around 30 metres on the eastern side.
The most famous dune, Nappanerica, or more popularly known as Big Red (named by Simpson Desert traveller Dennis Bartell), is 40 metres in height.
The explorer Charles Sturt, who visited the region in 1845, was the first European to see the desert, but it was not until 1936 that Ted Colson, on camels, became the first white man to cross it in its entirety.
The name Simpson Desert was coined by Cecil Madigan in 1939, after Alfred Allen Simpson, an Australian philanthropist, geographer, and president of the Royal Geographical Society of S.A.
No maintained roads cross the desert. However, there are tracks that were made during seismic surveys in the search for gas and oil during the 1960s and 1970s. These include the French Line, the Rig Road, and the QAA Line.
Such tracks are still navigable by well-equipped four-wheel-drive vehicles which must carry extra fuel and water.
Towns providing access to the edge of the Simpson Desert include Oodnadatta to the southwest, and Birdsville in the east.
A section of the Commonwealth Railways Trans-Australian line passes through the western side of the Simpson Desert.
Dates & Pricing
The Simpson Desert occupies over 175,000 square kilometres of Central Australia and contains the world’s longest parallel sand dunes. Join us as we follow in the footsteps of the explorer Charles Sturt, who visited the region in 1845.
Pricing
- Tag-Along – $5,350 per vehicle for 2 people
- Extra person – $950
- Children under 14 – $750
- 10% discount for return customers
Dates
June 1st – June 14th 2026 (9 spaces left)
June 17th – June 30th (9 spaces left)
Inclusions
- Welcome Dinner
- Farewell Dinner
- Old Andado Historic Homestead
- All National Park permits and all Camping Fees
- Desert Parks Pass
- Fabulous outback sunrises and sunsets
- Toilet facilities and bush showers where water is available
- Camp BBQ plate
- Services of a very experienced tour leader and fully equipped escort vehicle
- Satellite Phone, UHF radio and emergency first aid kit carried by tour leader
- Licensed and accredited tour operator
14 Day Simpson Desert Tour Itinerary
Alice Springs – Poepell Corner – Alice Springs
PLEASE NOTE :
- All 4WD vehicles on this tour will need to carry extra fuel & water.
- This tour is not suitable for camper trailers.
Day 1
ALICE SPRINGS
Our adventure begins today as we gather in the Central Australian town of Alice Springs. It’s here that we meet in the afternoon for the first time at the Wintersun Cabin & Caravan Park, where our camping accommodation is already booked. Our Welcome Dinner, which is provided for us at the Juicy Rump Restaurant, gives everyone a great opportunity to get to know each other and talk about the exciting adventures ahead.
Day 2
Today we leave the Alice and follow the Old Ghan railway line south through the ever-changing scenery of red dirt, sand, spinifex, mulga, and desert oaks. It’s here that we see many relics of the old Ghan, left behind at disused railway sidings. We head for Maryvale Homestead on the way to the amazing Chambers Pillar. In April 1860, the explorer John MacDouall Stuart was the first white person to see this spectacular pillar of sandstone which towers 50 metres above the surrounding plain. He named it after his South Australian sponsor and friend James Chambers. Our bush camp is within walking distance of Chambers Pillar and a spectacular sunset is always worth a photo.
Day 3
After breakfast we head back to the main track and turn south again towards the town of Finke, where the Finke Desert Race is held each year in June. Our camp tonight will be under the stars at Old Andado Station. This is probably the only remaining homestead of its kind left in Australia and was the home for over 50 years of that well known outback pioneer, Molly Clark.
Day 4
This morning, we leave this historic homestead behind and head to South Australia’s. Then it’s off to the ruins at Dalhousie Homestead with its 100-year-old date palms rustling gently in the breeze. Our destination tonight is Dalhousie Springs, a delightful oasis in the middle of nowhere, with its warm relaxing waters from the Great Artesian Basin ready to soothe away the aches and pains of weary travellers. We set up our camp here and enjoy the natural surrounds of this unique and beautiful place.
Day 5
After our morning soak we drag ourselves away from Mother Nature’s spa pool and continue our journey towards the east. Our next stop will be Purnie Bore, which was originally sunk by the oil research teams. It now sustains large numbers of wildlife in the area. We are now getting well into the desert on a track known as the French Line. It got its name in 1963 after a construction party from the Compagnie Generale de Geophysique created it to allow easier access when searching for oil in the desert. There are many suitable sites along the way to stop and camp and we spend another pleasant evening around a crackling camp fire. It’s out here that we get to soak up the fascinating natural beauty of the Simpson Desert.
Day 6
SIMPSON DESERT – POEPPEL CORNER
We set off this morning and soon we are crossing more sand dunes, dry lake beds, saltpans and gibber-ironstone flats. Along the way, we keep an eye out for the local wildlife such as camels and dingoes. It’s out here that we also get to see some of Australia’s wonderful native wildflowers. We continue eastward towards Poeppel Corner where Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory all meet. Our campsite tonight is another bush camp under the stars. Camping in the desert somewhere between Erabena and knolls turn off tracks.
Day 7
We continue travelling towards Poeppel Corner and visit the corner post and enjoy lunch nearby then start the return back to Knolls track where we the Turn down the Knolls track and travel the WAA track back west to Mt Dare camping another night in the desert. (Note the total distance from Mt Dare return via WAA road in 740km so extra fuel required).
Day 8
We arrive at Mt Dare to refuel after a day leaving the desert, this is the camp for the night where we can have a shower and wash the desert off. If you don’t want to cook, you can order a meal in the pub and enjoy the fire.
Day 9
The next day heading off to north to Abinminga old Ghan Ruins via Blood creek ruins on to Lambert’s centre of Australia for lunch. We visit the fascinating but tragic old ruins at Bloods Creek near the giant windmill and visit the site of Federal. We take a short detour to Lambert Centre, which is the geographic centre of Australia.
Head towards Kulgera then up the highway towards Henbury Meteorite crater and Finke Gorge National Park and the Boggy Hole track. Camping at Desert Oaks rest area a great spot on the Stuart Highway.
Day 10
We continue north to Henbury Meteorite Crater then on to Finke Gorge National Park and the Boggy Hole track. Explore the West MacDonnell Gorges. Visit Palm valley, camp in Palm valley.
Day 11
Taking the time to explore this magnificent area for another day. Your choice to do as much or as little – camp in Palm Valley.
Day 12
Explore more of the West MacDonald Range. Places such as Gosse Bluff, Lawrence Gorge, Ormiston Gorge, Owen Springs Camp tonight is 2-mile 4WD camp.
Day 13
So much to see and do – take advantage of the amazing walking trails and cool off in the swimming holes – staying another night at 2-mile 4WB camp.
Day 14
Alice Springs Tourist Park. After a well-earned shower, we look forward to our Farewell Dinner, which is provided for us in the evening. A great opportunity for everyone to talk about their adventure and their unforgettable journey across the Simpson Desert.
