Tour Dates (2024):
Tour departure/arrival location: 1431 Bribie Island Rd, Ningi, QLD. 4511
26th March – 11th April – TWO PLACES REMAINING
Tour Dates (2025):
Ningi, QLD – Adelaide, SA
16th – 31st March (PLACES REMAINING)
Adelaide, SA – Ningi, QLD
7th – 22nd April (PLACES REMAINING)
Day 1: We depart our Ningi Office (1431 Bribie Island Road, Ningi) at 0730hrs.
Today’s drive will start with a meander over the great Dividing Range along the picturesque D’Aguilar Hwy. We will have morning tea at Stoney Creek.
Day 2: Today we drive along the Moonie and Balonne Hwy’s through the townships of St George and Cunnamulla before stopping for camp on the banks of the Paroo River, near Eulo.
Day 3: Today we depart Eulo along the Adventure Way through the famous southwest region of Queensland known as ‘Channel Country’.
We pass through Thargomindah and stop at one of Australia’s most famed campsites (camp 65) established by Burke and Wills on their ill-fated journey from Melbourne to the Gulf of Caprentaria. We end today’s drive at Innaminka for a well-deserved refreshment at the Innaminka Hotel and camp in the Town Common on the banks of the Cooper Creek.
Day 4: This morning we depart Innaminka after re-fuelling. If time permits we will visit the grave of William John Wills (Wills) before traversing Walkers Crossing Track and the Birdsville Track to the truly outback Mungerannie Hotel.
Day 5: Today we embark on the first leg of our Simpson Desert crossing.
From Mungerannie we head back up the Birdsville Track before turning into the Simpson on the Rig Road. The Rig Rd which has deteriorated considerably since its construction. With its corrugations, washouts and rutting it is becoming an alternative challenge to the constant dunes of the other desert tracks.
We don’t have an exact destination for tonight’s camp as the conditions will determine our pace. We aim to reach the ‘Lone Gum’ which is, as the name suggests, a Coolabah Tree standing alone in the middle of the shrubby desert landscape.
Day 6: Today we continue along the Rig Rd. Our destination will again be determined by track conditions.
Day 7: Today we set off for Dalhousie Springs, a true outback oasis.
Before making camp we will visit the Dalhousie ruins, which was the homestead of Ned Bagot the first lease owner of Dalhousie Station in 1872.
This afternoon/evening is all about relaxing and enjoying this magical location.
Day 8: Today we only pack up our vehicles and leave our camp behind for the afternoon.
We head for the Mt Dare Hotel http://www.mtdare.com.au on the western edge of the Simpson Desert to re-fuel ready for our return journey. If time permits we will venture a little further west to the Geographical (Lambert’s) Centre of Australia.
Tonight we can enjoy another soak and relax before tackling the second half of our adventure. Over the next few days we will cross 1100 soft and difficult sand dunes on the French and QAA Lines.
Day 9: We depart Dalhousie Springs and start our drive along the French Line.
The French Line is the most demanding track along the Simpson with its constant dunes and very soft sand. Where we camp will again depend on conditions, we expect to travel an average of only 15km per hour for the next couple of days.
Day 10: Today we continue east on the French Line. Tonight’s camp will again be an undetermined location on the track.
Day 11: Today we pass through Poeppel Corner, the corner of NT, SA and QLD borders. We then head north for 18kms before turning east on the QAA Line.
Day 12: Today we tackle Big Red the largest (40m) sand dune in the Simpson Desert and a must-do for desert travellers.
After crossing Big Red it’s an easy drive into Birdsville for some well-earned refreshments at the famous Birdsville Pub https://birdsvillehotel.com.au and a nice shower at the Birdsville Caravan park.
Day 13: We depart Birdsville today along the Birdsville Development Road.
Before setting up camp on the iconic Cooper Creek, we will stop for a break at the recently re-opened Betoota Hotel. Betoota is recorded as Australia’s smallest town.
Day 14: Tonight’s destination is the Charleville Bush Caravan Park. After dinner we will have a tour of the Charleville Cosmos Centre. https://www.cosmoscentre.com/
Day 15: Today we head for camp, and our last night, at the Chinchilla Weir. On our way we will stop for a swim in the healing waters of the Mitchell Hot Springs.
Day 16: Today is the last day of the tour. We will stop for lunch at the Historic Muntapa Tunnel, QLD’s longest straight railway tunnel and the only rail tunnel that crosses from the inland to the coastal side of the Great Divide. We aim to arrive back in Ningi at around 4pm.
Gallery
What’s included in your 17-day Simpson Desert Tagalong Tour:
What you need to bring:
A detailed list of required and recommended personal items will be provided to you in your information pack upon booking.
