2011 Itinerary
& Costs
NEWS - Record
rain in western Queensland
The small town of Bedourie received over 350mm of rain on March 5th/6th, creating a huge
flood in the Mulligan River system. Ethabuka Reserve - starting point for the River 2
River Explorer and finish point for Expedition 24 00, received over 100mm. Conditions in
the desert will be outstanding for each trip this year!
Bedourie, March 6th 2011
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The
Australian Desert - foundation of indigenous culture for millennia, witness to the epic
journeys of the 19th Century explorers, and custodian of the iconic image of the
Australian bushman. The spiritual core of our great country - a vast expanse of wilderness
symbolising a still and peaceful balance to the frenzy of 21st Century life.
This year we are again privileged to be visiting the north-eastern Simpson Desert in
Queensland and the Northern Territory and you are invited to personally experience what
hundreds of desert trekkers have already discovered - that Australian deserts contain a
wealth of ecological diversity and are a place of wide-ranging discovery.
We worked in this area in 2010 - before, during and after the record rains and floods. The
three major desert rivers - Hay, Plenty and Field - all had large flows from the catchment
in the north, and the entire area received drenching and continuous rain on multiple
occasions. It was a delight to be able to walk in this landscape that was thriving with
life. I have walked the Simpson many times since 1995 and had never seen it so alive
on such a huge scale.
Current indications are that we are in the midst of a major wet period similar perhaps to
the benchmark years of 1974/75. Consequently, I decided to plan our 2011 itinerary in
areas that would take full advantage of the seasonal conditions, providing plentiful
tucker for our camels and, equally important, several contingency plans for access at the
beginning and end of each trip. Of course, not two seasons are ever the same, so whilst we
can expect the desert to be in good heart, It is highly unlikely that we will see repeated
images (such as the one pictured above) on such a grand scale as in 2010. However the 2011
trips will be fascinating in may other ways including to witness first hand the long term
rejuvenation of the desert flora & fauna.
Andrew Harper, Outback
Camel Company owner and Expedition Leader.
River 2 River Explorer
Red Desert Bushwalking, incorporating the Never-Never Country
Field River (Queensland) to
the Hay River (Northern Territory) |
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Expedition 24°00' - to the
Border & Beyond
Exploring the Northern Simpson Desert
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 |
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Every winter our camels can be found working
with Australian Desert Expeditions on scientific and ecological survey expeditions.
ADE's 2011 schedule includes a partnership with Bush Heritage Australia in the Simpson Desert,
Western Queensland.
Please visit www.desertexpeditions.org for more information
Top banner photo - Josef Schofield
All others - Andrew Harper
One camel does not make fun of
another camel's hump - Ghanaian
Proverb |
