Simpson Desert via Geosurveys Hill

This Trek is far harder than the Madigan Line but is provided for the sake of interest and perhaps to assist with any future expedition planners desiring to venture into this region.

There are no wheel tracks for the majority of the route (over 400km is open desert cross-country where you will need to select the best path over the dunes). Not surprisingly, less than 1 expedition convoy makes this trip annually. This route is based on the documented and recorded journey made by Stephen Langman and his expedition group in 2006. They started from Mt Dare and this is the only direction that you should attempt the journey due to complexities of desert navigation and environmental conditions.

This route takes you into remote country that is rarely seen, north of Andado but south of the Madigan Line where you will make the trek to the east across the Hale River Flood plain to pick up the Colson Track to start the journey south before turning east again and travelling cross country over the dunes to Geosurvey's Hill and then using shot lines, star pickets, and old oil drums as navigational markers (and this trek route) to reach the Geographical Centre of the Simpson Desert. The route then follows even more extensive open desert country tracking further to the south east via a series of shot lines and oil exploration relics picking up the Thomas Track that traverses Mirranponga Pongunna Lake to eventually reach the French Line 26km west of Poeppel Corner.

Throughout the trip an experienced eye will observe aboriginal stone chippings and grinding stones left where they were abandoned hundreds of years ago.

Since this route was published in 2006, there have been more expeditions to Geosurveys Hill and the Geographical Centre of the Simpson Desert via other routes. The Madigan Line for example, is far more straightforward a journey than the route provided in this Trek and is not comparable.

Furthermore, things change - this exact route will be subject to change if permits and access conditions change as they do over time. Please check comments from other people and make your own first hand research by contacting the stations directly as relevant to your journey dates.

Environment

See dramatic changes in desert vegetation and dune shape and construction as you slowly crawl across the desert.

History

Reg Sprigg and his family were the first people to ever travel the Simpson Desert by motor vehicle, both from west to east and south to north. Reg was out there for one reason only, in the hope of locating possible sites that would yield oil for his company, Geosurveys Australia. Geosurveys Hill is a rare rock covered hill in the very remote northern Simpson Desert and was first discovered by Reg Sprigg in 1964. This route follows much the same journey.

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This trip should only be undertaken by EXPERIENCED outback desert travellers ONLY! Over 90% of this route does not follow any wheel tracks and there is no signage. This is a pure offroad expedition and not suitable for the majority of travellers. Archaeologists and historians are main people who would be interested in this route as there are numerous sites of significance to investigate. The route provided was recorded by an ExplorOz Team expedition party. Your expedition group should all be highly experienced in previous Simpson Desert trips as you will need to navigate your own path across the dunes, taking care to identify a path that will not cause tyre punctures from vegetation lying just below live sand.

For well over 400km, you will travel over pure virgin desert terrain and you will need to rely on your GPS plotted course from one side of the desert to the other.

Because of the very remote nature of the area to be travelled, trip leaders must be very competent in map reading and should be using the best topographic maps (EOTopo 2021) together with the ExplorOz Traveller app. By using this provided Trek Note, your route is pre-planned and you will get prompted guidance. In addition, with the ExplorOz Traveller app you will see where you are on the map as you travel and have access to all the documented POIs around you at the time. However do not be complacent as you may encounter any number of hazards that restrict you from following the provided route.

All supplies of food, water and fuel, must be taken before the trip is started. Do not under-estimate your fuel and water usage, as there are no back up supplies to be obtained along the way between Birdsville and Mt Dare. Any sort of vehicle recovery would be very difficult and extremely expensive so carry your own spares and be prepared to carry out your own repairs.

Vehicles must be in first class condition, as well as tyres, and suspension. Make sure that you carry extra tyre plugs and tubes, as you will be guaranteed many punctures, mostly side wall type. It will be the first few vehicles in the group that take the lead that are going to be guaranteed punctures, clearing the track for the following vehicles. First and second gear low range is the usual gearing - progress will therefore be slow.

As well as vehicle preparation, participants’ health issues must also be catered for. Visit your local GP prior to the trip and take a selection of medications that may be needed for such a remote area.

Permits

When travelling through SA Desert Parks, a valid Desert Parks Pass is required. A Desert Park Pass can be purchased online directly from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources SA.

Note: if you deviate from this route or stop to camp on the Queensland side of the QAA Line, a permit is required from the Queensland National Park and Wildlife. Contact Don Rowlands, National Parks Ranger, Birdsville.

Fuel Usage

For diesel vehicles a minimum of 300L should be taken for this trip.

Diesel	ULP	LPG
4cyl 109 litres	4cyl 125 litres	4cyl 155 litres
6cyl 119 litres	6cyl 140 litres	6cyl 136 litres
8cyl 119 litres	8cyl 128 litres

Best Time To Visit

May to October

Where to Stay

Remote desert bush camps can be made as needed throughout your trip in addition to the main locations used in the general area of the Simpson that you will join at the start/end of your journey.

Services & Supplies

Basic supplies are available from Mount Dare and Birdsville only - for most people this trip will take 2 weeks between the 2 end points, which in themselves are remote towns. Be well prepared.