![\"Simpson](\"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Big-Red.jpg\" "\\"Big")
<\/a><\/p>\nNot a bad part of the world, aye?<\/em><\/p>\n With so many people having 4WDs, but not leaving the bitumen, the potential for many more people to experience this amazing area is enormous. This is the first of 3 articles which will cover the essentials for planning a successful crossing that will provide great stories and significant “bragging rights” for years to come. There are significant challenges, but meeting these is not only rewarding but a whole lot of fun.<\/p>\n Having made two previous crossings and with number three about to happen, it’s certainly not a trip I take lightly, and preparation is the key to success.<\/p>\n The 3 articles will cover the following: Vehicle preparation and how to get there,\u00a0Meeting the challenges of remote area travel<\/a>, and\u00a0A retrospective: what happened on our most recent trip Safety in numbers.<\/em><\/p>\n Now let’s look at some specifics.<\/p>\n One of the biggest challenges of all – how do you carry enough fuel and water and not exceed your Gross Vehicle Mass?<\/p>\n Shade is handy in the fierce desert sun.<\/em><\/p>\n A good set of tyres is essential, including a second spare. This is not an area requiring highly aggressive treads, with an all-terrain pattern usually providing better traction with less “digging in” in sandy terrain.<\/p>\n Come prepared.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n To fully enjoy the beauty of the area, I prefer to take a variety of tracks that allow you to see more of the desert and provide a more varied driving experience – not just relentless dune climbing. Sure, it takes longer, but you’ve come this far, take the time to enjoy it. Our group’s trip starts from Adelaide and takes 2 weeks. I try not to rush the days and generally plan on leaving camp by 9am and arriving by 4pm, at the latest. I’ve included a general Simpson Desert itinerary at the bottom of this article.<\/p>\n Don’t be put off- start planning now. If you have a reliable vehicle, there is no reason why you shouldn’t experience this magnificent area. Better still, get a group together and travel in a convoy for a lot of fun and an extra level of safety.<\/p>\n Adelaide – Roxby Downs 561km<\/td>\n Roxby Downs – Algebuckina 406km<\/td>\n Algebuckina – Mt Dare 337km<\/td>\n Mt. Dare – Dalhousie Springs 81km<\/td>\n Dalhousie – Simpson camp approx 130km<\/td>\n Rest day – no travel<\/td>\n Travel through desert approx 156km<\/td>\n Rest Day – no travel<\/td>\n Travel through desert to Eyre Creek 197km<\/td>\n Eyre Creek – Birdsville 56km<\/td>\n Rest day in Birdsville<\/td>\n Birdsville – Mungerannie 286km<\/p>\n Via Inside Track<\/td>\n Mungerannie – Copley 321km<\/td>\n Copley – Adelaide 569km<\/td>\n Next: <\/strong>Crossing the Simpson Desert for Beginners (Part 2)<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nMy experiences crossing the Simpson<\/h2>\n
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\n<\/p>\nThe Vehicle<\/h2>\n
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Fuel<\/h2>\n
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<\/a><\/h2>\n\u00a0Tyres<\/h2>\n
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Spare Parts<\/h2>\n
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<\/a><\/h2>\nGetting There<\/h2>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nTake a variety of tracks<\/h2>\n
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\n \n Day 1<\/h2>\n
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\n \n Day 2<\/h2>\n
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\n \n Day 3<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\n \n Day 4<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\n \n Day 5<\/h2>\n
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\n \n Day 6<\/h2>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \n Day 7<\/h2>\n
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\n \n Day 8<\/h2>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \n Day 9<\/h2>\n
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\n \n Day 10<\/h2>\n
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\n \n Day 11<\/h2>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \n Day 12<\/h2>\n
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\n \n Day 13<\/h2>\n
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\n \n Day 14<\/h2>\n
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