Northern Territory to Queensland
Encompassing the Hay River, Lake Caroline and extended lake system, Gnallan-a-gea Creek and Ethabuka Reserve
Covering part of the route of Charles Winnecke's 1883 Expedition in western Queensland

This traverse in the Northern Simpson Desert begins at the Hay River in the Northern Territory and concludes on Ethabuka Reserve in Queensland.

The first part - getting to the camels
The Expedition begins with a 4WD trip from Alice Springs to the Hay River via the Plenty Highway and Batton Hill Camp. The country to the east of Alice is cattle country and like the rest of the lower NT, received record rainfall in 2010. The resulting floods that careered down the Hay were phenomenal and destructive but rejuvenated a dry desert after nearly a decade of drought. Even though the Simpson is the driest part of mainland Australia floods play an important role in the desert ecosystem and in 2010 all the northern desert rivers flooded south into the dune field.

The desert lake section - exploring the extended lake system
After leaving the Hay, the expedition will visit what is known as the Hay River Lakes, including the larger Lake Caroline. Lake Caroline is accessible by four wheel drivers heading up the Hay River Track, but there are many smaller lakes and claypans to the south that are not accessible by vehicle. We will then explore south and west into the dune country towards the Plenty River, traversing a large arc back to the Hay.

Lake Caroline in 2010

Latitude 24 00 - into Queensland
Time to take off to Queensland! Following latitude 24 00 will take us straight to the south eastern corner of Ethabuka Reserve but we will have to create a dog-leg traverse around the National Park boundary once we reach Queensland. This stretch of the expedition is pure dune fields - layed out like a never-ending grid into the eastern horizon. The dunes are not high (average of 12 metres) and by ascending the gentle western face first, the camels will have no trouble making the traverse. There is no air-conditioned 4WD 'exploring' here - this is authentic, back-to-basics desert travel (without the fluffiness!) conducted under a secure mantle of safety by experienced expedition leaders and cameleers. No Tracks or roads. Just desert.

Beyond The Border - Ethabuka Reserve
The dunes continue on Ethabuka Reserve and just after entering Queensland we come to the Gnallan-a-gea Creek. This is the lower section of the Field River (known as Gnallanagea to the Aboriginal people) and will almost certainly be dry but will make a welcome break to crossing the dunes.

The Queensland/Northern Territory border was surveyed by Augustus Poeppel and Lawrence Wells (second-in-command) in 1884 with nine other men and a team of camels. They placed posts every mile along the line. It is extremely likely that apart from Winnecke and Poeppel, we will be the first camel team to traverse this part of the desert.

From camels to the air - the Channel Country
The expedition will finish on Ethabuka Reserve and then begins the last section of the journey - to Brisbane, capital of Queensland and Australia's third largest city. 4WD's will take us to Bedourie where the SkyTrans flight across the Channel Country really does emphasis the scale of the Outback. The flight includes stops in Birdsville, Charleville and Toowoomba.

The majestic redgums in the Hay River bed

The Hay River in 2010

Expedition Details
Difficulty: 4 (3 DEMANDING) 2 1

Dates: August 20 to September 13, 2011 - expedition completed
Total days including transfers: 25 - 2 day 4WD transfer  / 21 days trekking / 1 day 4WD transfer / 1 day air transfer
Trekking days: 21

More information...

Departure point: Alice Springs
Finish point: Brisbane
Maximum places available: 13

Full tour price: $7200
Repeat Trekker price: $6840

Above prices include flight from Bedourie to Brisbane over the Channel Country, access to Bush Heritage Australia's Ethabuka Reserve, permits for Aboriginal Land access in the NT, 4WD journey along the northern Hay River and Plenty Highway from Alice Springs. Repeat trekker price is available to all repeat trekkers regardless of when a booking is made.

Click here to read about life on a desert camel expedition...

Looking for something a little less demanding? The 16 Day River 2 River Trek will traverse similar terrain (dune fields) and is graded as Moderate.

Every winter our camels can be found working with Australian Desert Expeditions on scientific and ecological survey expeditions.
Their 2011 schedule includes a partnership with Bush Heritage Australia in the Simpson Desert, western Queensland.
YOU CAN JOIN these surveys and assist the ecologists with their fieldwork.

Please visit www.desertexpeditions.org for more information

All  photos (except Winnecke!!) - Andrew Harper