Simpson Desert and Hay River Track

[red_dune]

I have just come back from a 3 weeks outback trip and thought I would share what I've learned for those that might be planning similar trip in the future. This was my 4th time across this Simpson Desert but first in the Fortuner and first time to explore the northern Simpson.

The trip was great and Fortuner performed flawlessly and effortlessly even though the sand was very soft. Temperatures for the month of August were about 10C warmer then usual (according to the locals) hitting 34, 35C which brought out those beautiful little things called "FLIES" out in incredible numbers!

In addition to all standard camping gear and food required for the tip, I added second spare, 20L Jerry, fuel filter, some spare oils and a sand flag which I lost soon after I entered the desert :-(.

I was a little worried about fuel consumption thinking I may not have enough fuel however Hay River was an easy drive and I made it to Jervois with 18L to spare. Anyway, here is the itinerary and are some of the details I capture, however if you have any questions please feel free to ping me.

			Start	Finish	Kms
Day 1	9 August 2017	Wednesday	Melbourne	Renmark/Murray River NP	706
Day 2	10 August 2017	Thursday	Renmark/Murray River NP	Maree	688
Day 3	11 August 2017	Friday	Maree	Birdsville	501
Day 4	12 August 2017	Saturday	Birdsville	Poeppels Corner	164
Day 5	13 August 2017	Sunday	Poeppels Corner	Madigan Camp 16	166
Day 6	14 August 2017	Monday	Madigan Camp 16	Batton Hill	241
Day 7	15 August 2017	Tuesday	Batton Hill	Gemtree	284
Day 8	16 August 2017	Wednesday	Gemtree	Ruby Gap	160
Day 9	17 August 2017	Thursday	Ruby Gap	Ruby Gap	0
Day 10	18 August 2017	Friday	Ruby Gap	Rainbow Valley	273
Day 11	19 August 2017	Saturday	Rainbow Valley	Uluru Caravan Park	377
Day 12	20 August 2017	Sunday	Uluru Caravan Park	Uluru Caravan Park	0
Day 13	21 August 2017	Monday	Uluru Caravan Park	Coober Pedy	708
Day 14	22 August 2017	Tuesday	Coober Pedy	Port Germain	584
Day 15	23 August 2017	Wednesday	Port Germain	Big Desert (Nhill/Murrayville Rd)	487
Day 16	24 August 2017	Thursday	Big Desert (Nhill/Murrayville Rd)	Home	500
				Total Kms Travelled	5839

Fuel Consumption and Cost
Location	Consumption	Cost per L	Total cost	Litres	Notes
Home	10.6	$1.20	$84.00	70
Border crossing (Yamba Roadhouse)	11.3	$1.21	$94.98	78	Murray River NP
Burra	12.4	$1.22	$34.03	28.11	massive side wind
Lyndhurst	10.5	$1.55	$91.59	58.85
Birdsville	11.1	$1.60	$134.56	84.1	Includes 20L Jerry
Simpson Desert	14.2	$0.00	$0.00	0
Hay River	13.4	$0.00	$0.00	0
Jervois	13.4	$1.89	$128.33	67.9
Gemtree	12.6	$1.89	$50.01	26.45
Alice Springs	12	$1.36	$57.62	42.12
Erldunda	12.8	$1.78	$52.29	29.89	at 130km/h
Uluru	10.6	$1.85	$54.27	30
Erldunda	13.2	$1.78	$58.01	33.17	head wind
Coober Pedy	14.1	$1.45	$98.91	67.33	massive head wind
Port Augusta	12.5	$1.30	$81.95	64.58
Loxton	12.5	$1.25	$49.66	39.33
Nhill	12.2	$1.29	$40.14	31.38
Average	12.43	$1.34
Total			$1,110.35	751.21

Place	Cost per night	Notes
Murray River NP campground	$3.30	p/p
Marree Oasis Caravan Park	$10.00	per vehicle
Birsdville caravan park	$30.00	per vehicle
Simpson Desert	$0.00
Batton Hill campground	$20.00	p/p
Gemtree caravan park	$30.00	per vehicle
Ruby Gap bush camping	$3.30	p/p
Rainbow Valley campground	$3.30	p/p
Uluru Caravan Park	$42.00	per vehicle
Coober Pedy Big 4 caravan park	$32.00	up to 2 people
Port Germain caravan park	$20.00	p/p
Big desert	$0.00

[gordo86]

Nice! Got some pics?

[White One]

thanks , great information. would you have a list of the fuel stops by any chance?

[red_dune]

gordo86, here are some photos.

[red_dune]

White One, if you look at the fuel consumption list those are the locations where I filled up excluding Simpson Desert/Hay River where there is no fuel.

Fuel is pretty much available everywhere these days so it is not really a problem. The only thing to note is that some remote locations service stations close 5-6pm so you have to make sure you get there in time.

I hope I understood your question but if not let me know.

[gordo86]

Thanks mate! Set up looks great!