Part 6 of 8 - My Epic Simpson Desert (Munga Thirri) Crossing - Into​ The Simpson | Big Sky Country

Total days – 13

Route – Adelaide | Coober Pedy | Arckaringa | Oodnadatta | Dalhousie | Mt Dare | Simpson Desert | Birdsville | Adelaide.

Total Distance – 3180km (1975mi)

If you missed the first four parts of this eight-part series, please use the links at the bottom of this post to read all the posts from this amazing trip through Outback Australia.

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INTO THE SIMPSON (Munga Thirri)

To some travellers, the Simpson would be the highlight of their entire trip, however, to me, every location is a unique highlight. So, having had six amazing days so far, we were about to embark on yet another highlight.

Having had our last hot spring dipping at Dalhousie, it was time to pack up and head into the Simpson Desert.

As we drove out of Dalhousie campsite, pointing eastwards was a signpost directing us towards the Simpson. The sight of this stirred our excitement, as we would be spending the next few days in this Australian iconic desert .

Crossing one of 1100 sand dunes in the Simpson.

Driving through this unique landscape was quite similar to riding a rollercoaster. Only, in this case it was a lot more exhilarating. The sand dunes vary in height from mere 3 meters (10 feet) to as much as 30 meters (100 fee), each dune getting higher and higher as we headed east. Climbing each dune (each getting higher than the one before as we progressed) was a rapturous delight bringing out the 4x4 enthusiast in us. With the engine wailing away we would power our trusted fourbies (4x4s) to the top of each sand dune. For a few minutes, all we would see in front of us is blue skies. Then, as this would seem to last forever, the front of the vehicle would hit the crest and dip down, taking the visual senses from exhilaration to awe as the vast landscape in the valley below suddenly came to view. This stimuli of the senses would go on and on for the next 1000 odd dunes as we traversed through a land which changed it’s appearance from vast stretches of desert vegetation (growing out of red sand) to expanses of bright white salt pans. All this happened when we least expected it. Forget alcohol, this was like being high on some drug and we could not get enough of it.

The Vastly Changing Landscape of the Simpson.

The time of year and the weather can make a huge impact on terrain conditions. At times, rains can make the Simpson impassable. In our case we were traveling during winter and there had not been any rain leading up to our arrival and nor were any rains predicted.

There are no designated campsites in the Simpson. Bush camping wherever you fancied (not to far from the designated tracks though). So each day, we made it a point to set up camp about two hours before nighttime set in.

After a long day of driving, there is nothing quite like sinking into a comfy camp chair, with a liquid refreshment in hand, watching the setting sun throw out a kaleidoscope of varying colours and shadow patterns on the vast landscape stretching as far as the eye could see. The vastness and the utter silence makes one realize just how insignificantly minuscule we are as humans in nature’s larger scheme of things.

Nothing Quite Matches Nights In The Outback

The nights were spent in front of the campfire, with our resident chef cooking up a storm. After a scrumptious meal, a different kind of storm would take over the senses, as yarns took over the conversations, bringing out the best in all of us thanks to intoxication.

Big Sky Country.

The mornings in the Simmo are as breathtaking as its Sunsets. It all starts with a speck of light in the far horizon, graciously casting a spread of golden hues as the Sun makes it’s grand appearance signaling the birth of another brand new day.

As the spread of light widens, morning freshness captivates the heart with the ​chirping of birds breaking the otherwise dead silence of the vast ancient landscape.

Outback Sunrises​ are as Breathtakins as the Sunsets.

Our Outback Coffee Shop.

FRENCH TRACK

When crossing the Simpson desert, there are a number of different tracks that can be taken. In the early days, these tracks were used mostly to access oil drilling sites. We decided to take the FRENCH TRACK, first developed and used by a French Petroleum Company to access their oil wells, thus the name. We also took a little detour on the WAA line (see map), spending one night on this track.

PURNI BORE

As we headed eastwards, a few Kilometers before the official start of the Simpson, was the last oasis we would see. This was Purni bore. An artificially created well, which was first drilled by the French. The bore pumps out hot water from the Great Artesian Basin. When oil exploration ended in the early 1980s, the bore was left to flow wildly creating an artificial wetland attracting wildlife and many bird species. At one time the authorities had wanted to cap the bore completely, however for the fear of disrupting the environment that had grown around the bore, it was only partially capped allowing a limited flow.

Camping with hot water showers is available at Purni Bore. For us this was not a planned stop. So we made a brief stop to see the wetland and then were on our way.

Purni Bore Wetland

Part 7 to be posted soon - BIG RED | 3 States, 3 Time Zones - All in one place

Follow me on this epic overlanding trip.

Live life to the fullest, it's too short to procrastinate​!
Duncan Udawatta

#tinyplanet #teamaustralia #overlanding

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PART 1 - An Underground City | SiFi Movie sets | Dynamite From The Local Supermarket.
https://steemit.com/travel/@overlandjournals/my-epic-simpson-desert-munga-thirri-crossing-part-1-of-8-an-underground-city-dynamite-from-the-local-supermarket-sifi-movie-sets

PART 2 - The Breakaways | Longest Dog Fence In The World.
https://steemit.com/travel/@overlandjournals/part-2-of-8-my-epic-simpson-desert-munga-thirri-crossing-longest-dog-fence-in-the-world-or-kanku-breakaways-conservation-park

PART 3 - A 80 Million Year Old Painted Desert.
https://steemit.com/travel/@overlandjournals/part-3-of-8-my-epic-simpson-desert-munga-thirri-crossing-an-80-million-year-old-painted-desert

PART 4 - Hot Water On Tap In The Middle Of The Outback.
https://steemit.com/travel/@overlandjournals/part-4-of-8-my-epic-simpson-desert-munga-thirri-crossing-dalhousie-springs-or-hot-water-on-tap-in-the-middle-of-the-outback

PART 5 - Car Trouble in the middle of nowhere with night approaching!
https://steemit.com/travel/@overlandjournals/part-5-of-8-my-epic-simpson-desert-munga-thirri-crossing-mt-dare-hotel-or-car-trouble-in-the-middle-of-no-where-with-night