Olsen's Tours and Training Blog

I am always a bit reluctant to leave Mt Dare. Many years ago, Justine and I contemplated buying/leasing the place and we still love it, but we have an adventure ahead of us so leave we must.

I remember many years ago, the first time ever that I drove from Mt Dare towards the dunes of the Simpson Desert, what an exciting adventure it was, crossing those amazing dissected gibber plateaus that seemed to stretch from horizon to horizon. The great rugged stones threatening to puncture a tyre at every turn of the wheel, but the breathtaking scenery kept drawing the eye away from the job of dodging rocks- I feel the same every time I travel this track.

We headed out of the homestead area past what I remember used to be a gate, and onto the first creek, not too far from Mt Dare. This creek is always a good place to stop, though many people would never notice, as it has some very interesting flora. We stopped for quite a while exploring, while many convoys blasted past, keen to “do the Simpson” as though it was something to be conquered rather than savoured for it’s beauty. We had only a short way to go today, about 75k, but we intended to take all day to do it!

After enjoying the flora and even tasting some of it (bush tucker), we moved on to our next stop at a water tank where we enjoyed a cuppa and re-filled our tanks. The water at Mt Dare had not yet recovered from the flooding and was not the best to drink.

From our morning tea stop we continued over rugged gibber plains and through creeks to the claypans of the spring country near Dalhousie. A right turn to the south took us across plateaus with fantastic views of the springs right down to the ruins of Dalhousie homestead. The date palms had been removed since my last visit, in an effort to get the springs flowing again- a great idea. Unfortunately many people will complain about the change, but I think it is for the better.

Dalhousie Ruins

We spent a great deal of time exploring this area before heading further south to Dalhousie springs for a swim and a lunch stop. I remember many years ago camping with Justine at the springs, and being the only persons there- that would be impossible these days, as it has showers and toilets and shelters, and is a very popular camping spot. We came to savour the desert experience, which in our minds does not include crowds, so we intended to move on after lunch.

The swimming is always very enjoyable, the warm water seems do soothe all the aches and pains of days on the road.

After a lunch break, we were back on the track, which these days skirts around Spring Creek delta, on what used to be the wet weather bypass. It is a long way, and a sandy track with a few surprising bumps here and there. Pretty soon we were about to cross our first dune, pass the site of the Elka Seltzer bore and airstrip then arrive at our camp at Purni Bore.

It is a source of constant amazement and bewilderment that people who now travel out here do so much damage to the environment. Gathering firewood is to be banned in 2012 in Witjira NP- you can see why. For God’s sake people, if you want firewood, choose dead stuff laying on the ground. Don;t chop standing wood- even if it looks dead- it isn’t.  And DONT PUT CANS IN FIRES!!!!!

Fireplace as we found it

Come join us in 2012

8 Day Simpson Desert Adventure www.djolsen.com

All Female 8 Day Simpson Desert Adventure- with female guide.