The making connections book is still available at various bookstores and at. Become a facebook fan to receive daily updates during the race. Vast areas of the desert have been given protected status along the borders of queensland, northern territory, and south australia. The first european to see the grandeur of the simpson desert was the explorer charles sturt in 1845, but the desert was not fully recognised and named until the 1930s when another australian explorer and geologist, cecil thomas madigan, named. Apr 12, 2019 the simpson deserts facts and checks as one of the driest places on earth, the simpson deserts annual rainfall is recorded at only 150mm200mm. The desert is underlain by the great artesian basin, one of the largest inland drainage areas in the world. May 28, 2009 the first expedition of note was mounted in 1939 by scientist and central desert aficionado cecil thomas madigan, who 10 years earlier had named the simpson desert after alfred allen simpson, president of the sa branch of the royal geographical society of australasia. Water from the basin rises to the surface at numerous. Simpson desert aboriginal culture travel outback australia. Sedimentary pieces of sand mud and small stones carried by the water and glaciers, landed in the depressions of the earth where the desert is and formed a layer, with freshwater lakes above it. The desert is known for its harsh conditions, though many forms of.
Crossing the simpson desert on foot was the sort of challenge that warren bonython. The simpson desert is the worlds largest sand dune desert, of 170,000 km. It is the fourthlargest australian desert, with an area of 176,500 km 2 68,100 sq mi the desert is underlain by the great artesian basin, one of the largest inland drainage areas in the world. The simpson deserts facts and checks as one of the driest places on earth, the simpson deserts annual rainfall is recorded at only 150mm200mm. The simpson desert is a vast expanse of rolling dunes, seemingly endless horizons and deep red sand. The weather varies wildly during the day it may reach up to 50 celsius, while during the night it may drop to subzero celsius. Mar 10, 2020 the simpson desert is the common name given to the 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 and actually lies across the corners of 3 states south australia, queensland and the northern territory. Simpson desert near alice springs northern territory. Dashing across the simpson desert with a haval h9, great wall steed and a triton part 6 meet our support robert pepper 20171218 18 dec 2017 robert pepper. Well, the simple answer is that hes been researching desert angels. It is the fourthlargest australian desert, with an area of 176,500 km 2 68,100 sq mi.
However, a distinctive feature of the simpson is periodic temporary flooding in some areas, caused by rainfall outside the region that flows into the desert. Unfortunately, shephards very enjoyable book its a must for all simpson desert fans. Sue lawleys castaway this week is the mountaineer joe simpson. The making connections book is still available at various bookstores and at the strehlow research centre in alice springs. Discover necessary information and major route details for crossing the simpson desert in a 4wd safely. Largely uninhabited, with dunes stretching as far as the eye can see, the simpson desert is the ultimate outback adventure. Feb 26, 2018 simpson desert madigan line by 4wd 2018 incl. Archive first crossing of australias simpson desert by ted colson. Simpson desert near alice springs northern territory, australia. It is the fourth largest australian desert, with an area of 176,500 km. Jul 15, 2018 from big red to somewhere in the simpson desert. Crossing the approximately 550km of steep northsouth dunes through the simpson desert between dalhousie in south australia and birdsville in queensland is the ultimate challenge for any offroader. In the simpson desert you will find some of the best fourwheel driving in australia.
It is situated mainly in the northern territory, with parts in south australia and queensland. Avail simpson desert and many more helpful guides from westprints online collection. The simpson desert crossing rough guides rough guides. The largest parallel sand dune desert in the world, the simpson puts 16 dunes in your path. Fastest crossing of the simpson desert on foot guinness. Straddling three states, the simpson desert is the largest parallel sand dune desert in the world. That meant an additional k worth of fuel usage before i started in the desert. Nestled on the edge of the simpson desert in southwest queensland, it attracts. We drive big red sand dune and head west, over dune after dune, with another thousand to cross.
It holds the sand dunes together and without the dunes the desert would lose a lot of character it has. I decided to come into dalhousie from oodnadatta rather than go through to mount dare. Walking the simpson desert the friends of the heysen trail. The desert plains, mountain ranges, the colours, wildlife and the sheer size and scale is unbelievable.
Building stronger, safer earthquakeresistant homes. What is it really like to drive across the simpson desert. Mungathirrisimpson desert conservation park wikipedia. Having enjoyed the waa line and rig roads we continued west, only rejoining the french line when we had to. Cecil madigan became the first european to cross the northern simpson desert in 1939. The desert comprises red dunes, saltencrusted lakes and vast stretches of grasslands. It is a region that offers adventurers the experience of solitude and unique beauty, of a vast arid landscape, that during the rare rainfalls, transforms itself with masses of wildflowers and claypans that become temporary waterholes attracting flocks of birds. Aboriginal books and guides to plants and animals are also available. The simpson desert over 170,000 square kms of vast open space, the largest parallel sand dune desert in the world and one of the most remote places in australia. Crossing a total 1,162 dunes, he reached heights up to 40 m 1 ft. Mungathirrisimpson desert conservation park formerly simpson desert conservation park and simpson desert national park is a protected area located in the australian state of south australia about 970 kilometres 600 mi north of the state capital of adelaide and above 215 kilometres 4 mi northeast of the town of oodnadatta the conservation park occupies land within the simpson. Mungathirrisimpson desert conservation park formerly simpson desert conservation park and simpson desert national park is a protected area located in the australian state of south australia about 970 kilometres 600 mi north of the state capital of adelaide and above 215 kilometres 4 mi northeast of the town of oodnadatta.
Grass of the genus triodia spinifex grows between the dune crests there are mulga trees a type of acacia. Situated in the far north of south australia, it straddles the sant border and spills over into far western queensland. The book led to the choice of south australia as the site for a new british settlement. The simpson desert is the last refuge of some rare australian desert animals, including the fattailed marsupial mouse. The first expedition of note was mounted in 1939 by scientist and centraldesert aficionado cecil thomas madigan, who 10 years earlier had named the simpson desert after alfred allen simpson, president of the sa branch of the royal geographical society of australasia.
Outback desert closed to protect tourists travel the guardian. The route we describe on this page is called the combined route it is a. The simpson desert is in queensland, australia, one of the largest conservation areas in the country. Keep scrolling and discover the icons of australia, from uluru, kings canyon, alice springs and much more. Simpson desert the simpson desert occupies approximately 176,500 square kilometres of central australia. Crossing the approximately 550km of steep northsouth dunes through the simpson desert between dalhousie in south australia and birdsville in queensland is. It crosses the longest parallel sand dune desert in the world. Simpson desert regional reserve and simpson desert conservation park together with witjira national park form a protected region. The name simpson desert was coined by cecil madigan, after alfred allen simpson, an australian industrialist, philanthropist, geographer, and president of the south australian branch of the royal. Animals and plants simpson desert protection union.
Crossing it east to west is the most challenging, as the eastern dune faces are generally steeper due to the wind direction. Nov 11, 2008 the simpson desert with its outstanding beauty is a popular tourist destination, but many trying to cross it are forced to turn back. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading desert angels. Mar 14, 2012 whats pat simpson been doing, you may ask, since whither thou goest came out in 2001.
It is bounded to the west by the finke river and mabel range, to the north by the adam range, to the east by the georgina and diamantina rivers, with lake eyre to the south. C warren bonython charles was also a modern day adventurer, taking an expedition across the simpson desert with warren bonython in 1973 a time when the desert was just starting to open up to vehicles. In late september, 4wd groups are joined by bikes attempting to complete the punishing simpson desert cycling classic. If youd like to learn more about the history, exploration, flora and fauna of the desert, then the simpson desert by mark shephard is the ultimate book to read. Very few tour operators have had the knowhow, equipment or courage to take people into this vast.
The simpson desert at night, bathed in campfire light. On this tours end you will be flying out of uluru, it will by your responsibility to book your own flight out of uluru. If the simpson desert is closed due to an act of god if the simpson desert park is closed for some reason and we cannot make the crossing, we will take the alternate route of uluru desert express tour 1450km 6 day tour. The sandhill cane grass is a very important part of the simpson desert. Desert angels kindle edition by simpson, patrick, alves. The simpson desert ultimate travel guide travel outback australia. Theres a chance i might be going on a three week field trip to the simpson desert as a volunteer.
This simpson desert and finke motorcycle tour includes crossing the simpson desert and all of its 1,100 sand dunes. Image 1 of 15 for archive first crossing of australias simpson desert by ted. But along the way pat has met some of the most unforgettable people of his life while visiting libraries, museums, indian reservations and battle sites all over the american west. A trip to the simpson desert is an experience everyone should do at least once in their lifetime. The biggest dunes are on the eastern side of the desert, diminishing in size as a trend to the west.
Desert angels kindle edition by simpson, patrick, alves, sherrye. With an upcoming trip across the simpson desert along the frenchline and qaa tracks to birdsville heading east and then back to the hay river track to head north, here are all the things we considered and did to prepare for our first trip across the simpson. Why is the simpson desert called the simpson desert answers. This tour is catered for riders who want to ride across the simpson desert using the teams experience and also being a spectator at the famous finke desert race. The binns track runs parallel to the stuart highway from south australia to timber creek, nt where it connects with routes into wa.
The deserts climate is exceedingly dry, with most parts of it receiving 5 inches 125 mm of precipitation or less annually. Wed heard the heavier than usual traffic from the finke race had continued and were thankful for the quieter, less damaged tracks. The desert is home to a variety of flora and fauna, which attracts visitors from around the world to its sand dunes, plains and ironstone flats. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Learn more about our complete line of structural epoxy repair products. Outback desert closed to protect tourists travel the. Paul staffords tagalong tours was a fantastic way to achieve the crossing with the safety of a small group and pauls excellent leadership and.
The simpson desert is a large area of dry, red sandy plain and dunes in northern territory, south australia and queensland in central australia. The simpson desert by mark shephard, 9781876247072, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. From viscosity, to cure time, to pot life, to temperature, to class the simpson strongtie family of crack repair products has a solution for almost every job. The simpson desert stretches across three australian states and territories. More than 1,100 dunes, shaped into long red waves by westerly winds, roll from birdsville in. Discussion, support and help with crossing the simpson desert. Paul staffords tagalong tours was a fantastic way to achieve the crossing with the safety of a small group and pauls excellent leadership and knowledge, not to mention his sense of humour. Whats pat simpson been doing, you may ask, since whither thou goest came out in 2001. The madigan line is named after explorer and geologist cecil thomas madigan who, leading a party of nine men made an epic crossing of the north simpson desert, by camels, in 1939. Crossing the approximately 550km of steep northsouth dunes through the simpson desert between dalhousie in south australia. The creation of the simpson desert began about 270 million years ago after all the glaciers in the area had melted. However, if you live in australia, you might be able to find it at a local library, or have your local library order it in.
Simpson desert, largely uninhabited arid region covering some 55000. The simpson desert natural history and human endeavour. See the brilliant wildflowers, rare pine trees and unique wildlife that thrives in. It is a unique landscape that captures your imagination, but this is no place for the faint hearted crossing the simpson is a must do for anyone that has adventure in their. Keep scrolling and discover the icons of australia. Old andado track follows the deserts western edge to the town of finke. The simpson desert natural history and human endeavour hardcover january 1, 1992 by mark shephard author. Description this is the definitive account of the simpson desert. It also gives valuable information and many maps for people planning to visit the region and has been updated to include information about permits and track conditions. We will be crossing with a group of about 6 other cars. The simpson desert is the common name given to the 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 and actually lies across the corners of 3 states south australia, queensland and the northern territory. The simpson desert with its outstanding beauty is a popular tourist destination, but many trying to cross it are forced to turn back. The simpson has nearly always been the realm of the 4wd enthusiast.
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