10 Day Strzelecki Desert Trek 1
Slow Travel: Pack-free Desert Bushwalking
Maximum group size: 9 trekkers
Strzelecki Desert Trek 1
10 Day Trek - July 23 > August 1, 1 day 4WD/8.5 days trekking/half day 4WD
$5850
Trek Grade:
Walking in this landscape is on firm sand and occasional claypans and gibber (small stones) flats. Parts of this desert have received good rain in February and there may be a profusion of yellow flowers such as poached-egg daisy & 'Yellowtop' covering the landscape, and supplying our camels with fresh feed.... however it's not until we actually get out there in April this year that we will know the extent of any rainfall.
Late July is ideal walking weather in Central Australia however please be aware that we may have some frosty winter nights. Nonetheless, the winter days are usually clear and sunny.
Over the course of a 5 to 6 hour walking day you would walk approximately between 8 to 10 kilometres. Our pace of travel is determined by the camels and their ability to negotiate the dunes or other landforms in the landscape. They carry all your personal gear, and all you have to carry is your day pack.
This is a very real, very Australian desert experience. Camels are the perfect cross-country vehicle and so we don't follow roads or tracks, and there is no vehicle back-up: we don't need it! Camps are chosen for the availability of camel feed, and we never camp in the same place twice. And in addition, as we are Australia's only trekking company that specialise in remote desert travel, you won't 'bump into' any other groups of trekkers.
All of our treks are active participation-based experiences and the cameleers will involve you with loading and unloading the camels as much as you wish to be involved. Similarly, your assistance is always greatly welcomed with the numerous camp chores to be done at the end of the day such as collecting firewood or helping to shepherd the camels as they feed.
Please note that the entire trek will be on Clifton Hills Station, a working cattle property of 16,500 square kilometres, so we may see occasional evidence of cattle and some station infrastructure.
Heading into the depth of winter sees us walking in the area of the Strzelecki Desert where the dunes meet the Cooper Creek floodplain. This is small washed out red/white dune country with occasional large claypans scattered amongst these beautiful dunes. We may pass through large stands of ancient coolabah interspersed with vast open sky country that is perfect for desert bushwalking.
You walk alongside our team of packcamels accompanied by 5 cameleers who are your crew for the duration of the trek. Our cameleers are not 'tour guides', they are experienced and seasoned stockwomen/men who are specialists in handling and working with camels, and have a wealth of experience in walking the desert and knowledge of its flora & fauna, and are respectful of our First Nations people who call the desert home.
What's included
4WD transfers to/from Birdsville to the Strzelecki 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...
Survey RFDS Medical Chest, First Aid 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 survey 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 required?
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 in the Sturt Stony/Strzelecki Deserts, South Australia