Our second crossing of the Simpson Desert in back-to-back years was also our most eventful. For this trip we would be entering the Desert from the North West so we left Brisbane bound for Longreach and Winton. We always enjoy the driver through outback Queensland and it is a reminder of how big this beautiful country is. From Winton we made our way along the Kennedy Development Road through Middleton, a quick stop at Cawnpore Lookout for a photo and then on to Boulia. From Boulia we took the Donohue Highway which becomes the Plenty Highway at the Northern Territory Queensland Border.

Just after crossing the border there is a great spot called Tobermorey Station where there are some nice camp facilities, store, friendly staff and fuel. The Plenty can be rough going depending on road conditions. From here it was next stop Alice Springs. We spent a couple of Days in Alice Springs and then headed out to Palm Valley.

Palm Valley has some beautiful walking tracks and a great camping area with showers and fire places. We really enjoyed our night there. We then backtracked a short distance and then headed further into Finke Gorge National Park toward Boggy Hole where again there is another great campsite, this one with no facilities. We continued through the Finke Gorge National Park and onto Yulara.

At Yulara we explored Uluru and Kata Tjuta. There are beautiful walking tracks at Kata Tjuta and some breathtaking scenery. I don’t think people realise how big both amazing places are. There are plenty of opportunities for sunset shots of Uluru which is a must. So after two quick days we hit the road again.

We headed back out to the Stuart Highway and down to Kulgera Roadhouse to fill up and then out toward Apatula (also known as Finke). Roughly 10km short of Apatula there is a turn off to the Lambert Centre (the geographical centre of Australia). We got our obligatory photo and continued toward Apatula and then Mt Dare Hotel. We stayed the night out Mt Dare hotel, they have great campsites with fireplaces (you need to bring your own wood to burn), there are toilets and basic showers and of course the Hotel where they serve drinks, some meals, souvenirs and other supplies. The next morning, we fuelled up for the last time before Birdsville, grabbed a Bacon and Egg roll from the Hotel and headed off for our Adventure. First major stop is Dalhousie Springs where you can enjoy a swim in the Springs. There is camping available at Dalhousie Springs with toilets.

After Dalhousie Springs it is time to put on your sand flag if not already and it is from this point you also need your permit. All up there are over 1100 sand dunes to be crossed if heading the whole way across. It is easy going and there isn’t too much in the way of sand dunes until you reach Purni Bore. Here there is another campsite area and the last toilet before Birdsville. Not long after here one of the cars we were travelling with experienced some mechanical issues which required us travel a little differently but this is one of the risks and challenges with remote driving. We again chose to travel along the Rig Road and the WAA line. The French line is the shortest route, however generally has more traffic and is often a little rougher. It depends on how you want to travel and whether you want to see other cars which is not guaranteed. We continued along the WAA line until Knolls track. There are so many great campsites along the WAA line. At the Northern end of Knolls track we met back up with the French line and continued to head east. We made the short detour to Poeppel Corner where Queensland. Northern Territory and South Australia all meet. Doubling back to the French Line and then heading east for a short period before heading north and onto the QAA line. As you continue heading east the dunes get bigger all the way to Big Red Sand Dune (the last challenge East bound). The theory is, with winds the dunes are steeper when heading west bound and arguably harder. After making it up Big Red and the obligatory photos we then headed to Birdsville for a beer at the Birdsville Hotel and then the long journey back to Brisbane.

On the way back to Brisbane we had some car issues (luckily not in the desert). Things could’ve been a lot worse but weren’t because we found them early so a reminder to always make regular checks of your vehicle and if something doesn’t feel right get out and have a look.