Patrol across the Simpson

[Dr Gary]

We recently completed a "solo" West/East crossing along the French Line. It was late in the season, so tracks cut up kinda badly, especially on the approaches.
We were fairly well loaded, food, accommodation, bedding etc for two. Suspension is standard height, with extra load capacity on the rears. Bridgestone AT tyres basically new.

We had two attempts on one hill, three on another, THEN stuck really deep on a third. Sand was so fine it filled the hole as soon as it was shoveled out, so Max Trax would not fit under the wheels. "good samaritan" winched us out==Patrol driver of course!!.

Some statistics:
From the Gold Coast via Tennant Creek to Mt Dare, across the Simpson to Birdsville, then home:. 5,876 km
Fuel: 901 litres, cost $1,199 plus $76 for backup fuel included in the 901. Average cost $1.49 litre
Top prices were Glen Helen $2.053 and Mt Dare $2.35
Fuel consumption: Overall 15.33 litres/100 km. Worst across the desert 22.35 litres/100km, mainly 1st and 2nd gear. We did not need the backup fuel--we had 1/4 tank in Birdsville.
We stayed in motels/cabins when available and spent $1,200. We could have saved probably $800 by camping, but this allowed us to do 600km each day getting there.
The "roads" from Kulgera to Mt Dare and on to Dalhousie Springs are terrible--corrugations and stones.

If you are going, choose May or June for better roads. We had a great time and we are both 75++. Go do it

[4bye4]

Just printed this for my missus as we are both 64 and do a lot of solo touring. Well done.

[rusty00]

Well done Doc, thanks for the post, love reading drive reports.
Do you have any photos to share.

[Bigcol]

X2 for the photo's if you can mate

[Rock Trol]

Well done. It's a great trip and your never too old to do it.

[Ibbo]

Great info. Thanks Doc.

[blocko05]

what a great time the two of you must of had. Now I want to head off and do the same thing TODAY. Don't think my boss would appreciate it though. lol. thanks for sharing and hope to see some pics of your travels

[Dr Gary]

Here you go:P8200042.JPG Start of Westward journey
P8200044.JPG Turnoff at Finke
P8210055.JPGDalhousie Springs 1
P8200051.JPGMt Dare
P8210057.JPG More Dalhousie Springs
P8210061.JPG First of many dunes
P8210064.JPG A bit bigger
P8210070.JPG Sunset over the Simpson
P8220074.JPG Sleeping under the stars
P8230089.JPG Tyres too high
P8230090.JPG Too deep for MaxTrax
P8230087.JPG This was rough
P8230106.JPG Peopple Corner
P8230108.JPG Final sunset in the desert
P8240116.JPG On top of Big Red--final dune

[threedogs]

Is the homestead still near the Kulgera road house ? I used to live there
for a while before venturing south on the ghan line, they say one of the gum trees planted
there are from John Batman

[Onkey]

Grate photos.