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Eyre Creek- Simpson Desert
I’ve been studying the creek and river heights for Eyre Creek in particular to assess the situation with respect to our tour beginning 28 May.
The data shows the creek height at Glengyle to be the same height as it was at the same time last year despite the local rain. This is good news, because the Eyre Creek Northern Bypass opened on 14 May last year. That gives us about 3 weeks leeway as long as it doesn’t rain too much more in the northern catchment.
Still Places Available on Both Simpson Desert Adventures.
We have two tours running through the Simpson Desert this year.
Our 8 Day Simpson Desert Tour runs from Alice Springs to Birdsville.
8 Day Tour
Alice Springs to Birdsville- Simpson Desert Crossing
28 May 2011 – 4 June 2011
10 Day Tour
Hay River Birdsville to Winton QLD via the Northern Simpson Desert
9 June to 18 June
Experience the Worlds largest parrallel dune system. See the wonders of the Simpson Desert
Travel safely with an experienced guide .
Located within the driest region of the Australian continent, the Simpson Desert is one of the world’s best examples of an erg or dunal desert, a sea of parallel red sand ridges some 300 – 500 kilometres long covering a total area of more than 170,000 square kilometres. The mean annual rainfall of 130 millimetres is very variable and unpredictable. Summer temperatures can exceed 50° C.
The Simpson Desert lies across the corners of 3 States, South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory, with the South Australian section divided into 3 protected areas, Simpson Desert Conservation Park, Simpson Desert Regional Reserve and Witjira National Park.
Although many people imagine the Simpson desert to be a huge sea of sand void of plant and animal life, the truth is very different. The desert changes almost continuously as you travel across it. The views are often breathtaking. The sky is immense and so is the landscape. This is big sky and big dune country at its best.
Early risers will be greeted with the most incredible colours at dawn, and the calls of numerous birds including the Crested Bell Bird. A morning walk along the dune crests will reveal tiny footprints of the hopping mouse, lizards and small marsupials.
The journey to the Simpson Desert via the Old South Road and the historical Ghan railway line is perhaps one of the most interesting and picturesque desert journeys you can do. The route abounds in history, both aboriginal and european and some of the most amazing geographical formations tell of a much wetter past.
Traveling the Simpson Desert via motor vehicle is not for the inexperienced, that is why a tag-along tour is one of the best ways to experience the desert. I personally have witnessed a convoy of eight vehicles reduced to a convoy of just three due to inexperience. Given that vehicle recovery costs from the desert could be more than $4000, a tag along is a great investment.
A HF radio such as carried by your tour guide, and an essential safety item may cost more than three times the ticket price for this tour. Cross the desert the smart way, with our tag-along tour. Get your head out of the maps, and enjoy the scenery.
Menindee Lakes
Menindee Lakes’ wettest start to year on record
Brett Dutschke, Thursday March 10, 2011 – 13:28 EDT
Menindee Lakes in far western NSW is having its wettest start to the year in more than 100 years of records, already exceeding the annual average, according to weatherzone.com.au.
The total for the year so far is 335mm, with help from 70mm in the last few days. This is almost 100mm higher than the annual average, less than three months into the year.
The previous wettest first three months was in 1974, another strong La Nina year, when 265mm fell.
At times, water from the Menindee Lakes catchment is released into the Darling River which flows to the Murray, making it available for irrigation and also Adelaide’s drinking supply.
River levels along the Darling are on the rise at Menindee Lakes and upstream at Wilcannia, due to heavy rain in the last few days and months.
Wilcannia picked up more than 60mm in the last 24 hours, from thunderstorms, taking the year’s total to about 300mm, 40mm higher than the annual average.
Nearby, Broken Hill has had more than 350mm so far, 100mm more than the yearly average and their wettest start in more than 100 years of records.
Further rain is likely in the next few days due to a lingering low pressure trough, but not as much as recent.
Lake Eyre August 2011
We have a bit of interest in redoing our 2009 4 Corners Trip including Lake Eyre. Well if we can get at least 5 vehicles interested in this trip to Haddon, Cameron, Peoppel and Surveyor General Corner, we will do it in August
Simpson Desert in Bloom- 2011
The rain is coming down all over the Simpson desert right now. Assuming Eyre Creek bypass opens in time, ( I am confident it will) we are going to have one of the best years in the desert. Last year was incredible with wildflowers everywhere, but this year is looking even better, especially along the Hay River. Our Hay River Tour still has places available, and leaves Birdsville June 9th.
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