Simpson Desert Tours
Simpson Desert Tours from Alice Springs, Adelaide, Birdsville via Dalhousie Springs and more
The Simpson Desert tours now are available in 7, 9 or 13 days tours and cross the desert via the French Line, WAA Line & QAA Line.
Our 9 day Simpson Desert tours travel a route that combines all three tracks, plus Coulsen Track, Rig Road & Knolls Track and via Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert National Park.
Our extended 13 day tour includes these tracks plus the K1 Line, Madigan’s Line, Birdsville Track and Hay River Tracks and via Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert National Park.
The Simpson Desert is the name given to the desert sand hills area between Birdsville in the South West Corner of Queensland to Dalhousie Springs in the far north of South Australia near the Northern Territory border. It lies across the corners of 3 States – South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. The route we take is a Combined Route – a tailored route that enables us to see as much as possible of the area in the one trip, taking in a little of each track, plus different travel directions ie both across and parallel with the sand hills – very different experiences.
Our tours pass through three Australian states – NT, SA and QLD, and Aboriginal lands. Munga-Thirri National Park is the Simpson Desert Region in Queensland. Simpson Desert Regional Reserve and Witjira National Park are in South Australia.
Chambers Pillar overnight is included in many of our Simpson Desert tours and all include Mount Dare and Dalhousie Springs (for a swim).
Dates available for Simpson Desert Tours are shown at the booking link and can also be on demand – please advise your interest, numbers & date range available, and whether passenger or tag along.
3 Simpson Desert Tours Options –
- Alice Springs to Birdsville – via Dalhousie Springs, French Line, WAA & QAA Lines – 7 days
- Alice Springs to Alice Springs via Dalhousie Springs, French Line, WAA & QAA Lines, Boulia & Plenty Highway – 9 days –
- Alice Springs to Alice Springs via Dalhousie Springs, French Line, WAA & QAA Lines, Hay River Track – 13 days –
- Adelaide departures – Coober Pedy, Oodnadatta, Dalhousie Springs, French Line, WAA & QAA Lines, and Birdsville
- Adelaide returns on some tours – See details
- Map below shows 3 options – click +/- to enlarge
LIMITED PLACES – Please BOOK NOW – with an email or phone call 1300 763 188 or 0417 244 600
All comfy camping gear supplied (bedding, stretchers, full height tents, real toilet) all safety & recovery gear including satellite phones & UHF radios between vehicles.
Itinerary for 13 day Simpson Desert Tour from Alice Springs
OR See Adelaide departures – May 31 to June 8 Adelaide to Adelaide – Coober Pedy, Oodnadatta, Dalhousie Springs, French Line, WAA & QAA Lines, and Birdsville
The 13 day Simpson Desert Tours from Alice Springs return to Alice Springs or you may choose to fly out of Birdsville day 7. Flights with Rex are available to Mt Isa and Brisbane. Other options are available) – Please ASK.
- Simpson Desert Tour 13 days from Alice Springs to Birdsville, return to Alice Springs or Adelaide option. Simpson Desert crossing includes Chambers Pillar (great sunset & sunrise photo opportunities) Old Ghan Railway stop at Finke, overnight Mt Dare, then Dalhousie Springs (swim in thermals pool), 4 days, 3 nights in desert crossing via French Line, Coulson Track, QAA & WAA Lines, then Birdsville Hotel accommodation, return to Alice Springs or fly out options. Includes all park entries & permits, sleeping gear and meals. Optional scenic flights over Goyder Lagoon, Lake Eyre, Simpson Desert, Coongie Lakes. View the Goyder Lagoon region at the Warburton River Crossing and join the K1 line through the Simpson Desert sand dune swales and salt lakes to our overnight camp, then before 3 more nights on the Hay River Track, Lake Caroline & Madigan Line. At Batton Hill we join the My Country and Bush Tucker t with local Aboriginal custodians, visit Goyders Pillar, before Jervois, and return via Plenty Highway, and the Harts Range Aboriginal Atitjere community and Gem Tree in the regions gemfields. Complete after overnight and celebration dinner in Alice Springs. Full itinerary below.
Itinerary for 9 day Simpson Desert Tour from Alice Springs
Dates for 9 day tour –
- from Adelaide to Adelaide – see details
- from Alice Springs to Adelaide – Note Birdsville Races tour on August 26 follows same itinerary as below except extra day in Birdsville for races and highway travel to Kulgera so no Finke/Old Ghan.
The 9 day Simpson Desert Tours from Alice Springs return to Alice Springs or you may choose to fly out of Birdsville day 7. Flights with Rex are available to Mt Isa and Brisbane. Other options are available) – Please ASK.
- Simpson Desert Tour 9 days – from ADELAIDE with Coober Pedy, Dalhousie Springs, to Birdsville, return to Alice Springs or Adelaide option – Includes Painted Desert, Ooodnattta, Old Ghan, details then as from Alice Springs here …
- Simpson Desert Tour 9 days – from Alice Springs – crossing includes Chambers Pillar overnight (great sunset & sunrise photo opportunities) Old Ghan Railway stop at Finke, overnight Mt Dare then Dalhousie Springs (swim in thermals pool), 4 days, 3 nights in desert crossing via French Line, Coulson Track, QAA & WAA Lines, then Birdsville Hotel accommodation, return to Alice Springs or fly out options. Includes all park entries & permits, sleeping gear and meals. Optional scenic flights over Goyder Lagoon, Lake Eyre, Simpson Desert, Coongie Lakes. Two days return travel to Alice Springs with Min Min Lights encounter option, Boulia & Bedourie in Channel Country, Plenty Highway, Tobermoury, Jervois, Gemtree. 9 days or fly out day 8 option. Detailed Itinerary shown below.
- Simpson Desert & Birdsville Races Tour – 9 days from Alice Springs to Birdsville, return to Alice Springs or Adelaide option. Simpson Desert crossing includes Old Ghan Railway stops, Mt Dare, Dalhousie Springs (for warm swimming in thermals pools), 3 nights in desert crossing via French Line & WAA Line, then Birdsville Races, and 2 days return travel to Alice Springs or Adelaide option. Excludes Chambers Pillar. Completes September 9 in Adelaide or Alice Springs option – 9 days.
LIMITED PLACES – please BOOK NOW – with an email or phone call or BOOK HERE-
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Itinerary for 9 days Simpson Desert Tour from Alice Springs
Note Birdsville Races tour on August September 1 follows same itinerary as below except extra day in Birdsville for races and no Chambers Pillar.
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. LDDay 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 bridge 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 Poeppels Corner marking the meeting of QLD, NT & SA borders. Overnight under the stars in our remote camp.
Day 6 – We cross Eyre Creek, and traverse the largest sandhill, Big Red originally known as Nappanerica Dune, on the western edge of Lake Nappanerica, and eastern edge of The Simpson Desert. Overnight accommodation in Birdsville Hotel. BLD
Day 7 – Time to check out Birdsville and an optional morning Lake Eyre, Goyder Lagoon & Simpson Desert flights (book early). We head off for Bedourie visiting one of the rare stands of Gidgee trees on our way to Bedourie, the heart of the Channel Country and Diamantina Shire. Check out the fascinating history and display here and learn about the Bedourie Camp Oven – an Australian or Queensland icon. Head on to Boulia, via vast and remote cattle stations Boulia is the capital of the Channel Country – the great river system that feed Lake Eyre. The Min Min lights exhibition and show is a town highlight. We cross the NT/Queensland border to arrive at Tobermory Station with their grassy campground for overnight. BLD
Day 8 – Travelling the Sandover & Plenty Highways we refresh at Jervois, check out the lookout over the Simpson Desert and Mitchell Grasslands, and the giant termite nest. Harts Range and nearby Atitjere Aboriginal community and art centre give a good example of life and hope in these remote communities. We take a break at Gemtree, the gem capital of the region, and arrive Alice Springs for a celebration dinner and overnight hotel accommodation. BLD
Day 9 – After breakfast tour completes by 10am. We will transfer you to your flights or extended accommodation.
Itinerary for 13 days Simpson Desert Tour Alice Springs return to Alice Springs – or 7 days
Itinerary as above 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 Poeppels 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 eastern edge of The Simpson Desert. Overnight accommodation in 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 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 – 10 – 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 too. We check out Vantage Point with views to Mt Winnecke
Day 11 – 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.
Day 12 – Next day we head for Jervois, and travel the Plenty Highway, then visit the Harts Range Aboriginal Atitjere community and Gem Tree in the regions gemfields. Arrive Alice Springs for a welcome hotel bed and celebration dinner.
Day 13 – Tour completes 10am after breakfast in Alice Springs – with plenty to do here – or delivery to your flight, Ghan or other connections.
Book Now – places limited
Mystery of the Min Min Lights
Numerous stories surround the phenomenon of the Min Min lights of outback Queensland. One bush legend suggests the lights first appeared near the ruins of the old Min Min Hotel, a rough and ready drinking hole on the Boulia—Winton Road, notorious for fleecing its patrons. Built in the 1880’s the infamous pub burned to the ground about 40 years later, leaving nothing but a nearby cemetery. The eerie lights dancing across the plains at night were said to be the dead souls from this desolate graveyard. Although there appears to be no satisfactory scientific explanation for the source of the lights, it is suggested they are luminous balls of gas that seep up from below ground and drift with the wind across the open plains. A range of other theories on the light source includes static electricity, swarms of luminous insects, refracted light and, birds such as barn owls which, like glow worms, are said to be bio-luminescent (producing light from their own bodies).
Min Min Encounter At the visitor information centre in Boulia there is an interesting light show, the Min Min Encounter, which showcases numerous theories about the source of the Min Min Lights.
Ask for details 1300 763 188
