What's the best time of year to cross the Simpson?

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

Yep don't forget to grab a Camel pie whilst in Birdsville!!

The Kangaroo ones with Shiraz Red Wine aren't bad either!!

[Flea LeCrowds Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Flea LeCrowds]

Thanks for the feedback PP's. I am now thinking of planning the trip for early to mid July and I think I will heed the advice of others and carry a couple of jerry's just in case. I am really looking forward to the adventure and solitude of the trip. Just need to make sure we pack enough red meat and cans of beer. Being a recycling South Aussie, If my numbers are right I should come close to paying my fuel bill with the empties! Cheers All...

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

Flea

When is the best time?

Its seems evident from the helpful advice above to only do it at night, and take a jumper! Do not deviate and you will be ok on fuel.

Also, don't eat the pies as you risk drink driving and everyone knows the outback cops are bad.

Finally Enjoy the trip, ignore my advice and safe travels.

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Not as silly as it seems, MLC. I have twice been breathalised in the middle of the day by SA cops on the western side of the Simpson!

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

I'm planning a solo trip from west to east at the start of August this year with my wife. I would be very interested if you posted up conditions, etc, if you are back on PP by then.

Have a safe trip

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

I'm planning a solo trip from west to east at the start of August this year with my wife. I would be very interested if you posted up conditions, etc, if you are back on PP by then.

Have a safe trip

Taking the wife.....

The long term forecast is initially calm, with blue skies and high hopes, tending to gusty winds after the first outback meal.

Storms developing with extreme heat under the collar as the trip progresses and the mood becomes overcast with back seat advice and I told you so.

The week will progress to a severe attitude depression will cause the issuance of a weather warning with threat to life.

Regards MLC - beauro of meteorology and travelling relations

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

Speaking of beer, it took a day longer to cross than we thought, mainly due to those bloody T-Vanners in front of us, so I ran out of beer with one day to go.

Another guy on the trip kindly offered me a few of his cans but I politely declined as they were those "Green Death" ones (VB), but not all was lost I did have a few spare cans of Rumbo and some Red Wine so the extra night in the desert was well spent.

I'll tell you what would be good value to take, a GPS (I now have the full Hema Maps app on my I-Pad).......we had to take a major detour around Lake Poepel, and there was a sign for the detour but nothing where to turn right again.....lots of tracks but all seemed to end in muddy tracks in the middle of a salt pan.

After almost getting to the Madigan Line we ran into a guy with a Hema Navigator who said " you are going where????"

First thing I did when I got back was spend $150 of the mapping system, and on the recent Canning Stock Route trip it was worth its weight in gold!!

[Flea LeCrowds Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Flea LeCrowds]

OK guys, thanks for the advice to date but I call on you all once again...
I am now deep into the planning stages of the trip which is scheduled to kick off on Friday the 22nd of August out of Adelaide. Can anyone tell me where the best camping spots are along the track? We plan to stay over on night one in Coober Pedy to experience the underground hospitality but from there on I guess I would like to get some ideas. I have gone through a few of the posts where other PP's have done the trek but unfortunately on most occasions I cant few the photos. Some error with the photo share program. Is anyone else experiencing this?
One other question while I am on topic... IS it ridiculous to think that we can get from Poeppels Corner to Birdsville including Eyre Creek crossing and Big Red in a day?

[MDS69 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MDS69]

Poeppels Corner to Birdsville is certainly achievable in one day.Poeppels was our last night in the desert before arriving in Birdsville and we played around on Big Red for a little while as well.
Camping spots are not something that is planned as such. Our process was drive until mid afternoon and start looking for something suitable. Don't necessarily drive past one as it may take you hours to find something suitable again. The only ones that I wanted to stay at were Dalhousie and Poeppels but when we got to Dalhousie I wasn't impressed so we pushed on to Purnie Bore. Everything else was suck it and see.

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

In my view you have to spend a night at Dalhousie, its a great spot for a warm swim. Then probably another at Purnie. Then as MDS69 said find a spot around mid afternoon.

[Flea LeCrowds Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Flea LeCrowds]

I understand that I need an SA parks pass to complete the trip across but do I need a QLD Munga-Thirri pass as well if I intend to head straight from Poeppels to Birdsville in one day (no overnight in QLD - not allowed fires right)?

[MDS69 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MDS69]

I understand that I need an SA parks pass to complete the trip across but do I need a QLD Munga-Thirri pass as well if I intend to head straight from Poeppels to Birdsville in one day (no overnight in QLD - not allowed fires right)?

When we crossed in 2012 all that was required was a SA desert parks pass. The only fees payable for the QLD section were camp fees if you planned on overnighting in their section and we didn't. I enquired about paying fees for overnighting in QLd section to do the right thingbut you have to nominate the day, not good if you are behind or ahead of schedule so not flexible. We chose to drive through to save the hassle.

[Flea LeCrowds Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Flea LeCrowds]

Thanks MDS, that's reassuring. I plan to try and get through straight from Poeppels to Birdsville in one day. If we decide we need more time at Big Red we can always track back the following day for a play. I'm really looking forward to the trip. As the days tick over its getting much more 'real'. I find myself doing things like trial packing the roof rack. I love the way the truck looks when she's all packed up with swags, spares and fire wood!