What is a shot line in the Simpson Desert?
The French Line (or shot line as it’s called) is the shortest and most direct route across the Simpson. The route crosses the dunes at right angles and there’s about 1200 of them in all.
How long is the French Line Simpson Desert?
Approximately 260 kms long
Approximately 260 kms long. Takes around 2 days to complete. Much slower going than the QAA Line. French Line crosses Knolls, Erabena and Colson Tracks, as well as Rig Road.
What is the best way to cross the Simpson Desert?
Rig Road is best for large vehicles It is the longest and most southern route across the desert. WAA Line is great for families who have already crossed but want a new challenge, it has less traffic than the French Line and dunes are lower but often more technical.
Where does the Simpson Desert start and finish?
The Simpson stretches between Birdsville (1585km west of Brisbane) and Dalhousie in Witjira National Park in northern SA, (around 700km south-east of Alice Springs); it’s between 550 and 715 kilometres across, depending on which track you take. The desert is closed between December 1 and March 15.
Who owns the Simpson Desert?
| Simpson Desert | |
|---|---|
| Area | 176,500 km2 (68,100 sq mi) |
| Geography | |
| Country | Australia |
| States | Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia |
What is a shot Line Australia?
It’s one of the Australia’s best 4WD tracks. The track, also known as the Shot Line, is 438km long between Oodnadatta and Birdsville. It’s the shortest and most direct route across the Simpson.
How much fuel do I need to cross the Simpson Desert?
As a general rule, average fuel consumption will double in the Simpson Desert. We achieved 12.5L/100km on sealed roads, fully loaded, but this jumped to nearly 26.0L/100km in the desert itself.
How many days does it take to cross the Simpson Desert?
4 days
Closed between December 1 and March 15, crossing the Simpson Desert takes a minimum of 4 days and demands low range and high ground clearance from your vehicle. The best time of the year is May to October, primarily for the purpose of getting far away from the soaring temperatures of a desert summer.
Do you need a permit for the Simpson Desert?
Camping permits are required for Munga-Thirri (Simpson Desert) National Park, while a Desert Parks Pass is required for entry and camping in the Simpson Desert Conservation Park and Regional Reserve, as well as for camping at Purni Bore in Witjira National Park. While in the desert, self-sufficiency is essential.
What is the best time of year to cross the Simpson Desert?
April to October
The best time to be in the Simpson Desert is April to October when the daytime temperature will be comfortable. Nights will be cool to cold so make sure you carry plenty of warm bedding. The crossing is closed completely between December 1st and March 15th due to the extreme heat.
Where is the little Simpson Desert?
The Simpson Desert extends across 180,000 square kilometres of land that straddles the border area Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia.