13 days Simpson Desert Tour Alice Springs return to Alice Springs – or 7 days

Itinerary as 9 day tour to Birdsville then 2 options – fly out Day 7 from Birdsvillle (Rex airlines) to Brisbane or other options.

Day 1 – Alice Springs to Chambers Pillar – Depart 8am for a special and rare opportunity to visit the Ewaninga Aboriginal rock art site, then Maryvale Cattle Station and Titjikala Aboriginal Artists in 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, 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 BLD

Day 5 – 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 6 – 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 7 – 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 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 from Birdsville to Brisbane or elsewhere – or After lunch we head off down the Birdsville inside track (or outside depending on conditions) viewing the Goyder lagoon region to the Warburton River Crossing and join the K1 line through the Simpson Desert sand dune swales and salt lakes to our overnight camp.

Days 8 – 9 – Hay River Track, Lake Caroline & Madigan Line – We see abandoned oil wells, and remote Aboriginal sites and tool remains from a past population that lived in this region. Travelling mostly in the swales and following the Hay River we visit a number of Madigan’s camps, and see impressive stands of River Red Gums. (Cecil Thomas Madigan was an early explorer and geologist who lead a party of nine men on an epic crossing of the North Simpson Desert by camels in 1939). We visit Lake Caroline, a usually dry claypan that
attracts unique vegetation supported by local ground water. Traversing some dunes gives great views of this remote landscapes, and good sunset photo opportunities We check out Vantage Point with views to Mt Winnecke. Overnight desert camps

Day 10 – Travel today takes us over the Tropic of Capricorn to arrive at Batton Hill camp which is well serviced by traditional owners with showers and flushing toilets, where we join them on The My Country and Bush Tucker Tour. Also we visit Goyders Pillar, an impressive pillar of rock. Overnight desert camps at Batton Hill

Day 11 – After an easy start and opportunity for more time in this special place, we head for the Jervois cattle station on the Plenty Highway for Overnight

Day 12 – Travel the Plenty Highway, then visit the Harts Range Aboriginal community and Art Centre at Atitjere and the collection of local gemstones at Gem Tree in the regions gemfields. Arrive Alice Springs for a welcome hotel bed and celebration dinner.

Day 13 – Tour completes 10 am after breakfast in Alice Springs – with plenty to do here – or delivery to your flight, Ghan or other connections.

Inclusions –

Evening campfires with all meals provided + morning teas
Hotel Motel Accommodation - Alice Springs & Buirdsville + Mt Dare option - see booking link
Genuine small group 4WD vehicles - usually 4WD GXL Toyota Landcruisers
Professional Driver Guide
Wild wildlife!!
National Parks entry fees.and area permits

Exclusions

Alcohol
Airfares to departure points

Tag Along in Your 4WD available - Limits on vehicle types and Conditions apply. Tag along Rates includes all items as above, but excludes vehicle, camping gear and meals. These are available if prearranged or as extras.- please ask