7 Day Eastern Simpson Desert Trek
Photo - Carolyn Larcombe
Slow Travel: Pack-free Desert Bushwalking
Maximum group size: 9 trekkers
TWO DEPARTURES
Eastern Simpson Desert Trek 1
7 Day Trek - May 2 > May 8 2025, 1 day 4WD/5.5 days trekking/half day 4WD
Trek price: $5250
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Eastern Simpson Desert Trek 2
7 Day Trek - May 20 > May 26 2025, 1 day 4WD/5.5 days trekking/half day 4WD
Trek price: $5250 ​
We’ve been walking in the eastern Simpson Desert since 1976, and these two treks will explore some of our favourite landscapes.
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Where Are We Walking?
We will be walking in Munga-Thirri, Big Sandhill Country, the traditional land of the Wangkangurru people, many of whom reside in Birdsville. This region is also home to the Brook family, who operate Adria Downs Station, an 8,750-square-kilometre cattle station established in 1912 that operates on organic management principles.
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Our journey will take us across Adria Downs, where the property borders Munga-Thirri National Park in Queensland and the Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert National Park in South Australia. Please note that Adria Downs is an active cattle station and we may encounter evidence of cattle during our trek, though at 8,750 square kilometres, any encounter would be brief and sparse.
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This part of Munga-Thirri is a mixture of towering red dunes, large claypans, small salt lakes, and forests of Acacia georginae (gidgee). Eyre Creek also runs through the eastern desert fringe, and we may also encounter parts of its wide coolabah-lined floodplains. In 2023 and 2024 the creek flooded extensively and prevented us from accessing the desert to the west.
Walking in this landscape involves firm sand, with soft sand encountered only at the dune crests. If the rainfall, timing, and temperatures have been favourable, the desert may burst into a vibrant display of yellow flowers, such as poached-egg daisies and 'Yellowtop,' providing a stunning backdrop and fresh feed for our camels. However, the full extent and impact of any rainfall won’t be known until we’re out there in mid-April.
Though this trek takes place in autumn, please note that May can still bring high temperatures. If we encounter warmer weather, we will adjust our walking schedule accordingly to ensure comfort and safety.
Photo - Carolyn Larcombe
On this trek, you will walk alongside our team of pack camels, accompanied by four cameleers who will serve as your crew for the duration of the journey. While technically not “tour guides,” our cameleers are, first and foremost, seasoned stockmen and women. They are experts in handling and working with camels, with a wealth of experience navigating the desert and deep knowledge of its flora and fauna. They also hold profound respect for the First Nations people who call this remarkable landscape home.
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Over the course of a 5 to 6 hour walking day (including breaks) you will cover approximately 8 to 10 kilometres. Our pace is set by the camels, as they navigate the dunes and other natural features of the landscape. The camels carry all your personal gear, leaving you with just your daypack and a healthy attitude. Everything else is best left behind!
This is a truly authentic Australian desert experience. Camels are the perfect cross-country vehicle, allowing us to travel far from roads and tracks, with no vehicle back-up. Campsites are selected based on the availability of camel feed, and we never camp in the same place twice.
As Australia’s only trekking company specialising in remote desert travel, you won’t encounter other trekking groups. Unlike the 4WD tracks that can become virtual highways of vehicles in winter, we journey into a silent desert landscape, far removed from the crowds.
All of our treks are active participation experiences. The cameleers will gladly involve you in loading and unloading the camels as much as you’d like to participate, with the level of involvement decided on a day-to-day basis.
Your assistance is also warmly welcomed with various camp chores at the end of the day, such as collecting firewood or helping to shepherd the camels as they graze. These tasks are part of the unique experience and foster a deeper connection to the rhythm of desert life.
Photo - Carolyn Larcombe
What's included
4WD transfers to/from Birdsville to the Simpson Desert
All camping equipment - swags, stools, tents. You bring your own sleeping bag and eating utensils
All meals, though we do not provide snacks
LOTS of space...
RFDS Medical Chest and emergency communications equipment
Crew of 4 to 5 cameleers
Desert Silence!
Trekking with an environmentally aware responsible business
(A detailed Trek Information Guide is sent to you when you book)
What's not included
Pre and post trek airfares and accommodation. You are responsible for arranging your travel to/from Birdsville and any accommodation. We can help organise this for you
Please look at this page How To Get To Birdsville
What else is recommended?
Travel Insurance. You have the option to arrange your own travel insurance, or you can contact us for a quote.
Where are we trekking?
In the shaded area of the map below in the Simpson Desert, Queensland & South Australia.
