Simpson Desert Crossing via Oodnadatta Dalhousie Springs Birdsville Track Lake Eyre from Adelaide 10 Day Tour

Simpson Desert Tours from Adelaide return to Adelaide - 10 days

OPTION fly out Day 8  from Birdsville (Rex airlines) to Brisbane or other options.

Itinerary Details

Day 1 – Adelaide to Coober Pedy – Depart 7:00 am via Port Wakefield , the giant winDfarms of Snowtown and Spencers Gulf to Port Augusta with its historic precinct for morning tea on the old Port Augusta Dock. We head north up the Stuart Highway via Pimba and visit Woomera's historic rocket museum (passengers willing) then vast historic sheep stations including Glendambo. Arrive Coober Pedy late afternoon for dinner and a comfy sleep in underground accommodation amongst the opals (or above ground option available) LD

Day 2 – You can check out the opals and fascinating Umoona underground museum before we head off into the desert to The Painted Hills including Mount Arckaringa - these Ochre coloured hills are a unique feature of this area. We arrrive Oodnadatta and have a cuppa at the famous Pink Roadhouse before visiting the Old Ghan Railway Museum full of wonderfull history of the establishment and operation of Oodnadatta and the railway. Oodnadatta was established on the Neales River in 1889 it was South Australia’s most northern railway town. It was a starting point for pioneering travellers heading north and a major railhead for cattle being walked down the northern stock routes. By 1893, Oodnadatta boasted a diverse population which included Afghans, Chinese & Europeans. We travel north from Oodnadatta following sections of the old Ghan Track and visit Pedirka Siding Ruins and the Old Dalhousie Springs Homestead.

We enter Witjira National Park and 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 here on the edge of the Simpson Desert. BLD

Day 3 – Heading into the Simpson Desert Regional Reserve we cross the floodplains of Spring Creek Delta moving into numerous salt lakes and higher sand dunes. We take a break at Purnie Bore before more of the French Line with spectacular views from the top and great feeling of humility and nurturing by nature within the dunes. We travel over and longitudinally between the sandhills. Great photo opportunities, maybe a dingo or two to see, sunsets and sunrises and wildflowers. Enjoy and evening campfire at our remote desert camp BLD

Day 4-6 – We cross more salt lakes and 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. We see remnants of other travellers and oil searches in 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 7 – We cross Eyre Creek and traverse the largest sandhill, Big Red is also known as Nappanerica Dune, on the western edge of Lake Nappanerica, and the eastern edge of The Simpson Desert. Overnight ensuite accommodation in Birdsville. BLD

Day 8– This morning, time to check out Birdsville and unquie features of this once bussling town which was a customs post for cattle heading down the track. Consider an optional flight over Lake Eyre, Goyder Lagoon & Simpson Desert. (book early). We visit the historic Burke and Wills camp tree by the Diamantina River After lunch we head past the famous Birdsville Race Track and down the Birdsville Track to Mungerannie for overnight. BLD

Day 9 – This morning we cross the Cooper Creek, and flood plain, visit old station ruins including Lake Harry. Arriving in Marree, explore this once thriving railway town that helped save Darwin during WWII with 56 trains per week ! Marree is at the junction of the Birdsville and Oodnadatta Tracks, and the path of the Great Northern  Railway / Old Ghan for over 100 years, so lots of history here including Aboriginal museum and history, Tom Kruse (Outback Mailman from “Back of Beyond”) and Donald Campbells Bluebird story. Take an optional 1 or 2 hour scenic flight over Lake Eyre to see the Warburton Groove, the main inflow channel to Lake Eyre, Elliot Price Conservation Park, Halligan Bay, Lake Eyre South and the Marree Man (a 4 km long, giant engraving in the landscape). On return to base, we see some of the sights of Marree, this once thriving Ghan Railway town. Marree is caretaker for some interesting railway relics, plus  the old mail truck used by legendary outback mailman Tom Kruse on the run from Marree to Birdsville. We visit the shores of Lake Eyre and Lake Eyre National Park and connect with the wonder of the bird and plant life revitalised by recent flooding rains in a permanent waterhole. Overnight in Marree with a few yarns around the campfire or at the local pub. BLD

Day 10 – Today we visit the restored ruins of the old Ghan railway town of Farina, which once supported 300 people. We view the giant Leigh Creek coal mine (now closed), enjoy a break at the Quandong cafe at Copley and travel via old Ghan railway towns to Parachilna, and in the foothills of the Flinders Ranges to Hawker and picturesque mountain landscapes via the Pitchi Ritchi Pass to arrive in Adelaide around 6pm. BL