Thread: Crossing the Simpson.

The QAA Line and then the French Line is, apart from distance, probably the hardest way across. The Madigan would be harder East to West and is definitely longer, which in it's self is good. Not for a trailer though, so I would rule out the Madigan. The QAA then French Line is hard, or can be dependant on conditions at the time of travel. If it is dry and hot it is the hardest. If it is cooler and post wet (rain) it is much easier. This is all relevant to how you perceive it, your abilities, your passengers ability to cope and of course your set-up and reliability and condition of service of your vehicle. Then there is Rig Road that is accessed via Warburton Crossing, South of Birdsville. The inside track can be closed after little rain as there are channels running through that become obstacles with water. The Birdsville Track to Warburton is usually open. The Rig Road may be closed indefinitely. You would need to check. The Rig Road may be one of the easiest but still has dunes that can catch you out. Alternatively though, is to enter via Warburton and continue up to the Corner. Then continue up to the Hay River and exit via the Plenty to the Alice. Permits et cetera apply. The Hay River is easier than the QAA and French Line but is way longer as described and there is a day or so of hard yakka. That said it's been quite a few years since I was there last so there may well be tracks well embedded to follow. The WAA line is another option and may well be open saving time and distance, check in advance that you can get to it first.


I may have some vision on you tube, search 1p1j1w and riffle through the vids to extract (perhaps) what you want to see.


Hope this helps in some way,


cheers,
PeterW

I definitely wouldn't be towing a caravan across the Simpson, when we did it last year we were shocked at the indentations in the middle of the track from the a-frames of the trailers that people were attempting to haul across - and we saw one unfortunate soul with a snapped A-Frame on his Conqueror from crossing the Simpson with it at Mount Dare. We also chatted to the rangers who said that it's very likely they will be banning trailers of all descriptions in the Simpson as it seems that every year several are left abandoned and broken and have to be removed out of their funding.

I would be very hesitant about attempting to cross the Simpson by any route with any trailer.

John