Simpson desert crossing books

The biggest dunes are on the eastern side of the desert, diminishing in size as a trend to the west. Along the french line not far from dalhousie springs. This feat became the first crossing of the simpson by a motorised vehicle. 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. The simpson desert is a hazardous and remote location, yet attracts four wheel drivers and motorbike riders by the hundreds annually. Heavy rain across central australia made their crossing more adventurous than usual. Learning to let go, see clearly, and live simply robert j. By the end of stage 1, they know they will need to dig deep to achieve the goals they have set themselves.

Vast areas of the desert have been given protected. The binns track runs parallel to the stuart highway from south australia to timber creek, nt where it connects with routes into wa. The success of the trip and spriggs later northtosouth crossing opened up the simpson to legions of outback adventurers. The incredible story of the first simpson desert crossing by motor vehicle on. This site is dedicated to my australian overlanding project. Central australia and simpson desert by peter ryan blurb books. You are not allowed to take any animals into the simpson desert parks, either in s. What a can of worms this topic can open from the sublime to the ridiculous. Largely uninhabited, with dunes stretching as far as the eye can see, the simpson desert is the ultimate outback adventure. We drive big red sand dune and head west, over dune after dune, with another thousand to cross. Elise broach is the new york times bestselling author of childrens books including masterpiece, shakespeares secret, desert crossing, missing on superstition mountain the first book in the superstition mountain trilogy as well as several picture books. My three girls especially my oldest are big fans of this comic, so i was very excited about the opportunity to share this with them.

Heading west from poeppel corner you have no choice but to follow the french line. May 18, 2017 posted on may 18, 2017 by elizabeth martin and filed under adventure, australia, desert crossing and tagged australia simpson desert stuart ball 2017a sarah taylor desert riding sand. The simpson desert crossing rough guides rough guides. The simpson desert is the last refuge of some rare australian desert animals, including the fattailed marsupial mouse. Archive first crossing of australias simpson desert by ted. In junejuly 2015 i will attempt to walk solo, unassisted across the simpson desert. The simpson desert conservation park in south australia was the first reserve in the desert, declared in 1967. The simpson desert is australias fourth largest desert and the largest sand dune desert in the world, containing the worlds longest parallel sand dunes. If youre planning on crossing the simpson desert via any of the tracks which travel through. The first successful european crossing of the desert was in 1936 and is.

You are not allowed to take any animals into the simpson desert parks, either in. On the western side of the desert, these dunes are as high as 3 metres, and on the eastern side as much as about 30 metres. Map patrol east to west simpson desert crossing tweet leaving from brisbane today and headed to birdsville, the team will spend at least five days exploring the simpsons major routes and side tracks while gathering mapping data for our print and digital map products before returning. Jan 14, 2012 photo 1936 peter ains left and ted colson centre stand with alice colson right after their return to bloods creek following the successful expedition to cross the simpson desert the first successful crossing of the desert is credited to e a colson who, with an aboriginal companion p. Unfortunately, shephards very enjoyable book its a must for all simpson desert fans. This will be a west to east crossing, departing old andado station in the northern territory, traversing the geographical centre of the desert finishing in the outback town of birdsville, queensland.

Simpson desert australia the simpson desert is a remote, 4wd challenging, region, that is located in the northern areas of south australia, southern sections of the northern territory and up into the south west of queensland. The first successful crossing was made by ted colson in 1936 but was much later, in 1962, before the first motorised desert crossing was made by geologist reg sprigg with his family. A trip to simpson desert national parks always leaves us feeling alive, reenergised and in awe of how beautiful and full of life a desert can be. Apr 30, 2018 you have certainly picked the best time of the year for a crossing and will have no problem going solo if you stick to the main tracks there are plenty of people at that time of year. Just some different views of the west face of big red from 1989, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2012 and 2018.

Simpson desert crossing preparation hema jeep zj zg. The simpson desert is the worlds largest sand dune desert, of 170,000. You have certainly picked the best time of the year for a crossing and will have no problem going solo if you stick to the main tracks there are plenty of people at that time of year. It is full of kilometre long sand dunes and grasses adapted to the extreme conditions. 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.

Simpson desert near alice springs northern territory, australia. The best time of the year is may to october, primarily for the purpose of getting far away from the. With these useful tips on vehicle preparation and how to get there, you can find that crossing the simpson desert is not only achievable but. 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 incredible story of the first simpson desert crossing by motor vehicle tv short 2012 on imdb. Discover necessary information and major route details for crossing the simpson desert in a 4wd safely. Crossing the simpson had been high on my reallywanttodothat list ever since id crested big red the legendary ridge of sand 3040 metres high, depending on who you ask 35 kilometres from the birdsville pub that is not only the highest and most difficult dune in the simpson, but also the first or last, depending on which way youre travelling and kept driving until sunset. Phill and peter cross australias simpson desert in a single day. One man, alone, on foot, across the simpson desert. The simpson desert stretches across three australian states and territories. The simpson desert is in the centre of australia, crossing over the boarders into the states of south australia, northern territory and queensland. Crossing the worlds largest sand dune desert should be on your. Cecil madigan, a geologist, carried out an aerial survey of the desert with the aid of the raaf in 1929. Enough of the challenges, lets finish with some miscellaneous items that you will need for a successful trip. The road from mt dare to get to the simpson desert was even worse and at times we were wondering if wed make it to the start of the desert or if all our tyres would blow out on the sharp gibber stones that make this road in. I was meeting up with a man whom i had never met, taking his land rover and driving it nearly 3000km across five of australias eight states from melbourne, across the simpson desert to alice springs. Phoebe is a fairly average girl, with one notable exception. Feb 26, 2018 crossing the simpson desert and the search for ludwig leichhardt.

Desert parks pass you must have this permit to cross the desert. The desert has no maintained roads, but there are tracks which were. On one side is the map containing gps points, whilst on the other is information about each point of interest, track information and services available. He named the desert after allen simpson who was the then president of the south australian branch. Sincere thanks to the music holders for enabling this work. Oct 08, 2008 phill and peter cross australias simpson desert in a single day. Nissan celebrates first simpson desert crossing questia. We knew wed see some traffic on this track, but did not expect the number of vehicles and motorbikes that were heading east. Crossing the simpson desert is on the bucket list for thousands of aussie 4wd enthusiasts. We saw a car or motorbike roughly every 510 minutes. But trailers are not allowed or able to be taken across the simpson desert or it is strongly advised against. It is the fourthlargest australian desert, with an area of 176,500 km 2 68,100 sq mi. Traveling 515km from mt dare in sa to birdsville qld via the french line and poepple corner.

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. This is the revised simpson desert map designed for trip planning use. In early 1960s, the french petroleum company made a series of exploration tracks which have now become magnets for 4wd enthusiasts. Crossing the simpson desert and the search for ludwig leichhardt. Recently we did our first simpson desert crossing and it was a challenging but awesome road trip and i cant wait to get back out there again. In the simpson desert you will find some of the best fourwheel driving in australia. Madigan made his famous simpson desert crossing in 1939.

I want to come back to the simpson desert in my gwagen truck that i will bring from europe. In late september, 4wd groups are joined by bikes attempting to complete the punishing simpson desert cycling classic. We eventually arrived safely at dalhousie springs which marks the start of the simpson desert. The first successful crossing was made by ted colson in 1936 but was much later, in 1962, before the first motorised desert crossing was made by. I think in 1989 there was just the centre track and a chicken track off to the right.

The campsites of his expedition in 1939 are indicated with black dots and numbered accordingly. His crossing of the remote desert that contains the worlds longest parallel sand dunes took place just 26 years after captain ted colson with a team of camels became the first nonindigenous person to cross the wilderness. It was early july, primetime for outback travel in australia. He achieved recognition as the first person of european descent to cross the simpson desert. Unicorn crossing is the fifth book in the phoebe and her unicorn adventure series by dana simpson. Edmund albert ted colson 3 june 1881 27 february 1950, bushman, pastoralist and pioneer was born in south australia near quorn at the southern end of the flinders ranges. The largest parallel sand dune desert in the world, the simpson puts 16 dunes in your path.

Map patrol east to west simpson desert crossing hema maps. Photo 1936 peter ains left and ted colson centre stand with alice colson right after their return to bloods creek following the successful expedition to cross the simpson desert the first successful crossing of the desert is credited to e a colson who, with an aboriginal companion p. Each september, competitors, support crew and officials gather in the simpson desert for the annual simpson desert bike challenge. In 1962 reg sprigg and family completed a geological survey of australias simpson desert.

Travelling with their parents, geologist reg sprigg and his. Unfortunately, shephards very enjoyable book its a must for all simpson desert. Explore the endless landscape of the mungathirrisimpson desert witness. Simpson desert parks in south australia and queensland are closed in. Theres nothing like spending time amongst the sand dunes, exploring salt lakes, grasslands, scrubland and just soaking up the expanse of the desert. At dawn, riders surge off into the heart of the simpson desert. Fifty years later a convoy group attempted the first crossing of the simpson in march of that year. 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.

Fastest crossing of the simpson desert on foot guinness world. History was repeated and birdsville celebrated over the july 2122 weekend when sister and brother marg and doug sprigg crossed the remote simpson desert in an early model, short wheelbase nissan g60 patrol 50 years after their pioneering trip in a similar nissan in 1962. Crossing the approximately 550km of steep northsouth dunes through the simpson desert between dalhousie in south australia and birdsville in queensland is. Archive first crossing of australias simpson desert by ted colson. This group of five friends successfully crossed the desert shortly after unusually heavy rainfall turned the desert into a green, wildflower strewn, amazing landscape. Simpson desert australia the simpson desert is a remote, 4wd challenging, region, that is located in the northern areas of south australia, southern sections of the northern territory and up into the south west of.

Simpson desert trip planning map expedition australia. Old andado track follows the deserts western edge to the town of finke. Some people chase mindfulness in the pages of colouring books, but its much easier to find in the desert. Dashing across the simpson desert with a haval h9, great wall steed, a triton and now an everest part 7 meet our support robert pepper 20180109. Note in 2014 there were some rule changes, read about them here simpson desert alert. Crossing it east to west is the most challenging, as the eastern dune faces are generally steeper due to the wind direction. Archive first crossing of australias simpson desert by ted colson, 1936 together with photos taken at colsons blood creek homestead. Mungathirrisimpson desert conservation park and regional. Crossing a total 1,162 dunes, he reached heights up to 40 m 1 ft. Madigans crossing of the desert by camel in 1939 is often cited as the first by a european, although some references note an earlier one by edmund albert colson in 1936. Posted on may 18, 2017 by elizabeth martin and filed under adventure, australia, desert crossing and tagged australia simpson desert stuart ball 2017a sarah taylor desert riding sand.

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 national parks travel outback australia. Apr 30, 2018 note in 2014 there were some rule changes, read about them here simpson desert alert. Apr 05, 2012 his crossing of the remote desert that contains the worlds longest parallel sand dunes took place just 26 years after captain ted colson with a team of camels became the first nonindigenous person to cross the wilderness. Situated in the far north of south australia, it straddles the sant border and spills over into far western queensland. Newer older the most downloaded motorcycle podcast in the world. Natarsha brown lets us in on the dos and donts of crossing the worlds largest sand dune desert.