Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert

The Simpson Desert covers around 176,000 square kilometres across three states and territories, and its defining feature is its dunes: more than a thousand parallel ridges of red sand running roughly north to south, some of them nearly two hundred kilometres long, formed by prevailing winds over tens of thousands of years. The Queensland side is protected as Munga-Thirri National Park, the largest national park in Australia. Crossing it is a several-day four-wheel drive expedition on tracks such as the French Line and the QAA Line, with no fuel, water or services, and vehicles must carry a tall sand flag. National parks close the desert to visitors through the summer months.

What you actually see

• The parallel dunes - more than a thousand red ridges running to the horizon.
• Big Red - the largest dune, at the Birdsville end of the crossing.
• The claypans and salt lakes - flat white surfaces between the dune lines.
• The desert wildflowers - mass flowering after good rain, unpredictable.

When to go

May to August only; the desert is officially closed from December to mid-March because of extreme heat, and travel outside the cool months is dangerous. Rain closes tracks at any time. Permits are required from the relevant state authorities.

Honest expectations

This is a genuine expedition: two vehicles are strongly recommended, along with satellite communications, recovery gear, extra fuel and water. There are no services of any kind between Birdsville and the western side. Breakdowns are expensive to recover, and people have died here.

Nearby

Birdsville is the eastern gateway; Mount Dare and Dalhousie Springs lie west.