Hay River Track - Simpson Desert trip report

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Great report, so much better photo's than what I was able to do on my report of my recent Simmo Crossing.....I guess that's what a $2000 camera will do (in capable hands) compared to a $200 camera (and a very average photographer).

Loved the desert and wish I was back there right now!!

[JeffH Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JeffH]

What are your thoughts on the tag-along tour?

That reminds me, I was going to write up something about the tag-along aspect. Overall, the Tag-along was great, by no means is it the cheapest way of doing a trip such as this, but in the end I felt the cost could be easily justified. The trip leader and his family were really professional, easy to get along with and top-people, which certainly helped the trip run smoothly. One concern I had going into the trip was that I had no idea who the other people were going to be and whether it would be possible to get along with them for almost 3 weeks, but that worked out ok, everyone on the tour was pretty easy-going and there weren't any issues with personalities.

As it was my first trip into this region of the country, I was happy to pay that bit extra to have someone knowledgeable leading the trip, if/when I go back there again I would probably be confidant enough to lead a trip in myself or go in with others. I can certainly recommend Great Divide Tours though for anyone looking to do something similar, I wouldn't hesitate to tag-along on another of their trips.

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

I have heard of some very mixed reports on Tagalongs, not the organisation of such but how the people mixed.

I recently went with a group of 6 vehicles (6 couples).....2 of the couples I have known for the lifetime....the others I only met just before the trip.

We were lucky it worked pretty well, but interestingly we ran into a Tagalong coming across the desert just behind us, and after talking to some of them at Innamincka I am not sure everyone was happy with everyone.

But if you are by yourself, and doing something like the CSR it's probably the only way to go.

[williade Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close williade]

Wow. What a great trip report Jeff and awesome photos. Were you solo from the Painted Desert on?

I always thought I was in the Prado game for day trips and rock hopping but now Kav's and your adventures have got me thinking about modding my Prado for long distance trips.

[DGW Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close DGW]

Incredible report Jeff, loved it.

Never ceases to amaze me how the deserts change some much, sand dune to sand dune, day to day. Have loved every minute of my two trips accross the Simpson and would head back tomorrow if time permitted.

The Prado makes a near unbeatable touring vehicle when they are set up and a damn good day to day truck for home and the bush.

[JeffH Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JeffH]

Wow. What a great trip report Jeff and awesome photos. Were you solo from the Painted Desert on?

I always thought I was in the Prado game for day trips and rock hopping but now Kav's and your adventures have got me thinking about modding my Prado for long distance trips.

Thanks Declan, yeah I was solo after leaving Uluru, about 10 days or so all up before getting home.

I think the good thing about you having a Prado is that it is a great "Hybrid" vehicle. Out of the box its setup well for remote area touring, with the large fuel tanks, and interior space. Then, as you've found, especially once you've added the locker and suspension it's darn capable in the technical, hard-going off-road stuff as well. I think that if you love getting off-road then you'd be selling yourself short if all you did was to drive the local tracks like Newnes etc. With only a few more mods to your car you could easily take on an outback (or Cape) trip and have an awesome time doing it.

[GH4wd Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close GH4wd]

Excellent trip report Jeff & amazing photography as usual

Yes I did read it all & viewed all the photos on your smugmug site

The Painted Desert is absolutely stunning!

[Mike Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mike]

Fantastic trip report Jeff. Thanks for sharing.

[K & M McF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close K & M McF]

Really interesting report about a great trip!

[hdtdamo5 Member Find all posts View Profile Close hdtdamo5]

Thanks for reading the report, sorry it was so long but the 4 pictures per post limit is a real pain to work around. Anyone that has actually read it all deserves a gold star.

Thanks for a great report! I think you deserve a gold star for such a great report and great photos!

One question, how did the petrol Prado go on fuel? Any shortages? You mention the patrol drivers being worried about running out, how did the petrol go?

[JeffH Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JeffH]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Thanks for a great report! I think you deserve a gold star for such a great report and great photos!

One question, how did the petrol Prado go on fuel? Any shortages? You mention the patrol drivers being worried about running out, how did the petrol go?

I didn't have any troubles with fuel in my diesel Prado, as I mentioned, i took 2 20L Jerry's, but didn't have to use them (although they still went in). From Jervois to Kulgera, which was just over 1000Km's I used 167 litres. Averaged about 20L/100 on the French Line and 14-15L/100 on the Hay River Track. The Petrol 90 series took 3 20L Jerry's and, from memory, I'm pretty sure he had to use 2 of them to get to Mt Dare, but all three went in across the desert. No one ran out of fuel or was caught short, but I wouldn't want to do it with anything less than 200L for a Diesel Prado, just in case conditions change and you get caught out.

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

I did Mount Dare to Birdsville a month ago and used 16.5 Litres per 100Km......I thought I'd do a little better actually but we had two very tough days and that ate up the fuel....I took 2 x 20 Litre Jerries, put one in quickly (just to get the wieght off the roof) but didn't really need to even take one as I probably had enough fuel in at Birdsville to go back about half way!!

Of interest was a brand new V8 Troopie that used less fuel than me....I suppose more or less loped over the dunes!!

[Homer Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Homer]

WOW what an awesome trip and a fantastic write up too...thanks for sharing Jeffh

[Madkore Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Madkore]

Excellent trip report with great photos. Thanks for sharing Jeff.

[Chewy81 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Chewy81]

Mate, what an epic trip! Certainly got the 'lets cross the Simpson' bug biting!

Great pics and awsome report, thanks for sharing!