This is an adventure of a lifetime, but an experience that should not be undertaken alone. Many earlier pioneers perished in and close to this wilderness. It was only 1936 when the first European Ted Colson, a renowned bushman and the late uncle of Troy Dan, crossed the complete Desert.  With the modern day 4WD vehicle and its ability to traverse the many sand dunes with ease, we are able to safely cross in much less time than it took Ted Colson.

This Tour departs from Charleville, centred in the middle of mulga country and ‘Hub of the South West’.  We travel to Windorah and on to Birdsville, located in the largest shire in Queensland and in which are located 14 cattle stations and two National Parks.  Birdsville is our first night’s stopover - from here the real adventure begins.

We travel across the famous Simpson Desert crossing hundreds of sand dunes, crossing the entire Desert.  We will experience the many challenges of the ‘The Simpson’ with it’s expansive saltpans and valleys as we move east to west. Add the challenge of driving ‘Big Red’, the biggest of the sand hills, for those who choose to challenge their vehicle and driving skills.

During our journey we will visit the three corners, Poeppel, Cameron and    Haddons, where three Australian States meet. We will visit an outback town with the population of 1…!  We will drive the French Line, and the Rig Road, a clay-topped access route that was developed along several different survey lines. We will travel the WAA Line and visit the town of Oodnadatta, which lies in the heart of the desert, 112 metres above sea level, and learn the history of the Old Ghan Railway line.

We will travel onto the Painted Desert via Oodnadatta (an aboriginal word for ’blossom of the mulga’). Here the spectacular coloured hills of the desert were created as sediments laid down by the ancient inland sea eroded away. This erosion, combined with the leaching of minerals out of the soil, has created striking colour combinations that change throughout the day.

We will spend a rest day at Coober Pedy, venture onto William Creek for an optional   light aircraft flight over Lake Eyre and Painted Desert. 

We will travel onto Roxbury Downs and onto Port Augusta. Here we have a rest day to take in some sightseeing and/or fishing in this magnificent area—or maybe just get your breath back after our previous few days of travel.

We will begin our return journey through the beautiful Flinders Ranges. So it’s north from here to Wilpena Pound and then onto Arkaroola, set high up in the Gammon Ranges, onto the Strzelecki Track.

On our return we travel to the town of Innamincka, and visit the famous ‘Dig Tree’, site of the forward base of the Burke & Wills expedition. We will conclude our tour in South-Western Queensland near the town of Cunnamulla, via Cameron Corner where the borders of three States meet.

Please book early as numbers are limited.

Email: enquiry@australian4wd.com.au
Website: australian4wd.com.au
Phone: 07 3264 1877

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