2009 PradoPoint Simpson Desert Crossing Poll

[lc120_man Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lc120_man]

Hi All,

Given that most people have only limited time for holidays some people can only make a Simpson Desert crossing on the way to PP Get Together and others can only do it on the way back.

If you are planning doing Simpson Desert Crossing please let us know your preferences via this poll when you can do it. That way we might get 2 groups going via Simpson Desert - one on the way to GTG and one on the way back.

The Simpson Desert Crossing from Birdsville to Dalhousie Springs/Mt Dare
or vice versa typically takes at least 4 days and 3 nights.

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

Great Ic120_man,
It will be interesting to see who wants to do what. It really only needs 2, 3 or 4 to make it work either way.

Thanks
Martin

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

Hey Guys and Gals,
I wonder if some of you who have indicated that they are keen to go to the GTG in the centre would indicate on the poll regarding if they might want to do the Simpson and which way would be best for them. I know it is a long way off, but I have an interest in returning via the Simmo and would need company.

regards
Martin

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

Would love to do it either way, but it would then be nearly a full two weeks away from work.

Being self employed I wont know until it gets much closer to the time unfortunately, depends on the amount of $ in the bank.

[lc120_man Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lc120_man]

bump.

If anyone from undecided had chance to decide please update your vote.

[mav Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close mav]

This post goes to the heart of the matter at hand and is just as important for the Simpson crossing as it is for the GTG itself.

Some of us maybe thinking that the fuel costs are going to be too excessive to go to this event, I will be the first to stand up and say that fuel costs will be a deciding factor for many to attend the GTG.

However when you are contemplating this GTG or the Simpson crossing to get here or back just stop and think for a minute.

Fuel prices are never going to retreat they will always go higher, therefore the longer you put off a trip like this the more it is going to cost.

If you think that it will be cheaper to fly well think again as QANTAS have already announced that they are going to be cutting flights to Ayres Rock and putting up fares to compensate for the increased fuel costs.

If this is going to be your once in a life time visit to the outback then my advice would be to start planning towards it now. If you can spare 10 or 20 dollars a week then start a new savings account and put what you can afford into it each week in order to offset the cost of the trip out here.

I know Stan and I are both working towards making this the best experience that we can and we are doing everything we can do to gain a range of discounts and sponsorship for the event. This may or may not come to fruitition but it will not be for lack of trying I can assure you.

So it comes down to whether you feel that you want to be apart of the event, to show support for our communtiy and I mean the Pradopoint community. There may never be another chance to participate in an event like this so make this one count.

We will soon be calling for hard numbers as to be totally honest with you all the places that we have chosen for camping at fill up very very quickly and we have already been advised by Glen Helen Resort that they will be needing definite numbers soon otherwise they will not guarantee that we will be able to get into the resort for the date specified.

So in the next few weeks we will be putting up a thread asking for hard numbers, we will make allowances for late comers but we will also need to reach a target figure in order to secure camping rights etc.

Sorry to have to sound all official and all that but we have seen evidence of folks not wanting to attend now due to fuel costs. If that is the case and the majority now want out then we need to know well in advance due to campground booking commitments.

Sorry too Stan for putting this in your thread but I think you know where this is coming from.

In closing let me say that both Stan & I really want to make this the best event that we can possibly organise but it takes each and everyone of you, Pradopoint members, to make this GTG the best ever event possible.
Without your support then this event is dead in the water.

Regards

Mav

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

Top stuff Mav.

well put, and I for one will be a hard number for the GTG, just not the simpson crossing. (WA) .(5)

Jeff

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

GTG ... Yes. (certainly 4 ... maybe 5 ... its a teenager thing)

Simpson crossing .... No.

Pls let us know when you require any deposits ..... No ... not Ben's "Bumper Dumper" type deposits :lol: :lol: :lol:

Cheers
Chippy

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

Mav,

Has there been any discussion to what lines are probably going to be traveled.

-Ben

[mav Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close mav]

Mav,

Has there been any discussion to what lines are probably going to be traveled.

-Ben

Hi Ben,

This is a question for Stan to answer, so I will leave it up to him to respond to you on this. However this is what Stan has posted in his other Simpson thread regarding the Itinerary:

************************************************** ***********

OK guys, as promised updated itinerary now with dates. If anyone got any questions/suggestions feel free to contact me either via PM or this thread. This is a not set in stone itinerary, we can change to suit if required to accommodate most participants.

Day 1 - Thursday 25th of June 2009
Everyone arrives to Birdsville, staying in Birdsville Caravan Park
http://www.birdsvillecaravanpark.com/index.html

Day 2 -Friday 26th of June 2009
Birdsville Rest Day - To do all the touristy things around Birdsville on your own. http://www.diamantina.qld.gov.au/attractions/

Possibly a drive to Big Red for a bit of a play on the dunes. Dinner at Birdsville Pub.

Day 3 - Saturday 27th of June 2009
We leave going Birdsville going via Big Red, QAA Line toward Poeppel Corner

Day 4 - Sunday 28th of June 2009
We continue on to K1 line, stop at Poeppel Corner, then on to French Line,
to David Lindsay Corner (Lindsay Junction) then down the Knolls Track,
visit Approdinna Attora Knolls and continue down the Knolls towards WAA corner

Day 5 - Monday 29th of June 2009
Knolls Track onto the WAA Line toWAA Junction then down the Erabena track to the Lone Gum Tree, back to the WAA Junction and then continue on the WAA Line towards the Lynnie junction.

Day 6 - Tuesday 30th of June 2009
On to French Line via Lynnie junction and we continue then along the French Line, stop at Purnie Bore and camp Dalhousie Springs (Don't forget your swimming gear!!!)

Day 7 - Wednesday 1st of July 2009
Rest Day at Dalhousie (Hot) Springs.

At this point of the trip people can choose to leave us to continue journey on their own, or join us for the reminder of the trip to Alice Springs/PradoPoint Get Together. If you are planning on joining us here please contact me before hand so that we know to expect you.

Day 8 - Thursday 2nd of July 2009
From Dalhousie Springs we are going to Mt Dare to refill.

Mt Dare got probably most expensive fuel in Australia, but we have no choice (well at least Petrol vehicles don't). So make sure you got enough cash on you to fill up (just in case if eftpos facilities are out of action).

From Mt Dare on to Finke, camp at Lambert's Centre of Australia

Day 9 - Friday 3rd of July 2009
From Lambert's Center to Chambers Pillar via Old Ghan Railway Track
with a stop at Maryvale (Tijikala) art gallery

Day 10 - Saturday 4th of July 2009
Travel from Chambers Pillar to Alice Springs with the stop at Ewaninga to look at the Aboriginal Rock Carvings. We stop at Alice Spring to restock and refuel and then onto Ross River Resort to catch up with everyone

************************************************** ***********

The above may have chaged so best to discuss it with Stan directly.

Cheers

Mav

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

We're keen on this trip.
It's a huge step up for us, just tenting it here and there at the moment, but as you say Mav, almost a once in a life opportunity to jump on sooner than later. My biggest decision is, do I want holidays this Christmas or at GTG 09. In my work we have rosters for holiday leave in schools out periods. I'm at the top for '09, which starts with Christmas '08. If I take Christmas '08 I'll almost guarantee I don't get July '09. Haven't had a Christmas/New Years off for the past 4 years now.
Arhhhh what to do.

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

Christmas happens every year ... but a Nationwide Pradopoint GTG is a rare beast :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Cheers
Chippy

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

Were in regardless, since were living in Alice. The chance to cross the Simpson with other Prados is an invitation not to be missed. I have a mate thats yet to join our group that will be coming as well. Were happy to meet at Birdsville as we think this is the best place to catchup and get a chance to meet the other PP guys in our travels. Looking heaps forward to it and fingers crossed it will go ahead as planned, Zook.

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

Guys, I am still looking for those who can't make a crossing on the way over and are interested in crossing on the way back. It is not possible for us to get away so early to join you at that time. Anybody interested? Maybe a few would like to do both it ways, no rude comment intended!

Martin

[mav Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close mav]

Guys, I am still looking for those who can't make a crossing on the way over and are interested in crossing on the way back. It is not possible for us to get away so early to join you at that time. Anybody interested? Maybe a few would like to do both it ways, no rude comment intended!

Martin

Hi Martin,

I am sure you will get enough people who will want to do it after the GTG. I thought Stan was also looking at running a return leg if there was enough interest.