An outback trip across ythe Simpson Desert via the Madison Line – June 2024.
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An introduction
Following our Antarctic adventure in 2023, there was a planned trip Outback across the Simpson Desert, however Mother Nature had other ideas – with heavy rains in Northern Australia causing floods across the desert.
So to 2024, where the plans have been resurrected, which suits me perfectly as I couldn’t juggle the trip in 2023. In short we have 6 vehicles and 10 of us venturing North in June 2024.
The crew
- Trip leader – Steve in his Troopy with Stef as passenger
- Brian and Ann in a Nissan Patrol (Ann is Steve’s sister and Brian her son) first outback trip
- Mary and Phil in their new Toyota Fortuner
- Mary and Col in their Toyota 200 series
- Kate in her Pajero
- Me in my Pajero Sport.
- 11&12.4.026 – Day 9/10 – The Girls International Whirlwind Restaurant Tour. Jan. 2026: Interesting day and home again.A relaxed start was planned today with breakfast meeting time of 9am ready for our massages at 10:30.Bron and I awoke well before the alarm and were busy scrolling when I received a message from Hayley to say we needed to cancel her and Aunty Sue’s massage as they were at the hospital!Aunty Sue had… Read more: 11&12.4.026 – Day 9/10 – The Girls International Whirlwind Restaurant Tour. Jan. 2026: Interesting day and home again.
- 10.4.026 – Day 8 – The Girls International Whirlwind Restaurant Tour. Jan. 2026: Eating and Shopping!A sleep in today as we have a free day around the area before a walking food tour this arvo/evening. A good sleep was had by all. Relaxed breakfast at the usual, Wildflour. Then it was a short walk across to and around Landmark (closed for inventory till 12) to the next shopping mall/complex –… Read more: 10.4.026 – Day 8 – The Girls International Whirlwind Restaurant Tour. Jan. 2026: Eating and Shopping!
- 9.4.026 – Day 7 – The Girls International Whirlwind Restaurant Tour. Jan. 2026: Eating and Shopping!Eating and shopping was the order of the day. We didn’t venture more than 500m from the hotel – mind you I’m sure we clocked up the steps in repeat visits.To explain further the New World Makati hotel is located in the Ayala family’s private city of Makati. Opposite is the Greenbelt, compromising high end… Read more: 9.4.026 – Day 7 – The Girls International Whirlwind Restaurant Tour. Jan. 2026: Eating and Shopping!
- 8.4.026 – Day 6 – The Girls International Whirlwind Restaurant Tour. Jan. 2026: Manila.Awoke after a couple of hours sleep and Bron and I headed down to check out hotel breaky. We don’t have breaky included so we looked it over and went for a walk across the road to the Shopping Precinct- Greenbelt. There were a range of cafes and restaurants to choose from. Returned to hotel… Read more: 8.4.026 – Day 6 – The Girls International Whirlwind Restaurant Tour. Jan. 2026: Manila.
- 7.4.2026 & 8.4.2026 – Day 5 – The Girls International Whirlwind Restaurant Tour. Jan. 2026: Last day in Bali.Last day- breaky at Bakers Bistro and finally they had Overnight Oats available – we’d given up on it, thank goodness Hayley asked.… and they were delicious. We all went our separate ways- to have a look around the area – mainly shops etc. Here’s what I found. Back to Villa for chat and swim… Read more: 7.4.2026 & 8.4.2026 – Day 5 – The Girls International Whirlwind Restaurant Tour. Jan. 2026: Last day in Bali.
- 6.4.2026 – Day 4 – The Girls International Whirlwind Restaurant Tour. Jan. 2026:Off to Ubud.Showery and raining overnight quite heavy when I awoke, it waxes and wanes. Off for breaky at 7:30, then back to meet Wayan for our day trip to Ubud. Trip to Ubud put paid to a few hours. Lots to see through the streets of various areas of Bali. Wayan suggested a dance show in… Read more: 6.4.2026 – Day 4 – The Girls International Whirlwind Restaurant Tour. Jan. 2026:Off to Ubud.
- 5.4.2026 – Day 3 – The Girls International Whirlwind Restaurant Tour. Jan. 2026:A full day in Bali.Sleep was lovely, I was last to the lounge this morning after a bit of washing and phaffing, about 9am.We headed off with brollies in hand, as it had been raining overnight.Breaky at Baker’s Bistro near Bintang Supermarket. Very nice although three of us were disappointed that overnight oats was not available. Then we checked… Read more: 5.4.2026 – Day 3 – The Girls International Whirlwind Restaurant Tour. Jan. 2026:A full day in Bali.
- 4.4.2026 – Day 2 – The Girls International Whirlwind Restaurant Tour. Jan. 2026:Melbourne to Bali.Alarm at 4am. Erghhhh! Ready, packed and downstairs to meet Suzie and Hayley. I was happy with a solid 6 hours sleep. Airport check in was quiet and things went pretty smoothly. Except, take a tip from me – DO listen to the man who says to empty pockets at the scanner. I had to… Read more: 4.4.2026 – Day 2 – The Girls International Whirlwind Restaurant Tour. Jan. 2026:Melbourne to Bali.
- 3.4.2026 – Day 1 – The Girls International Whirlwind Restaurant Tour. Jan. 2026. Off and racing today we meet at the Park Royal Hotel at Tullarmarine Airport, ready for an early departure tomorrow. My day started with an early lunch with Sue and Gloria and a lift to the Moe station. Sue and Glor came to the platform and waved me off (a bit slack I should have… Read more: 3.4.2026 – Day 1 – The Girls International Whirlwind Restaurant Tour. Jan. 2026.
- The Girls International Whirlwind Restaurant Tour. Jan. 2026. Prologue.An account of our January 2026 trip – The Girls International Whirlwind Restaurant Tour. Jan. 2026.
- Way out West 2025. 13th of August. Day twenty- seven.Jamestown CP to Bottle Bend camp (on the Murray near Mildura ) Breaky this morning of Egg and Bacon wraps cooked in the excellent camp Kitchen at The Park at Jamestown. It had been a frost overnight, but we had our heaters and power so warm and toasty. Then a wander around town, it reminds… Read more: Way out West 2025. 13th of August. Day twenty- seven.
- Way out West 2025. 12th of August. Day twenty- six.Mount Ive Station campground to Jamestown. Reckon I was in the land of nod literally seconds after turning the light off. Well ahead of 10pm. The Bashers were still at it and there was a few drops of rain.Had kangaroos grazing in the campground this am and a couple hopped past me taking a pic… Read more: Way out West 2025. 12th of August. Day twenty- six.
- Way out West 2025. 11th of August. Day twenty- five.Shelly Beach CP, Ceduna to Mount Ive Station campground. A slow start, awoke to groovy orange sunrise colours over the park. Richard came to say that he had no luck with Ceduna Toyota so had ordered the alternator from Auto Parts Plus and had a list of people to fit it. It should arrive tomorrow… Read more: Way out West 2025. 11th of August. Day twenty- five.
- Way out West 2025. 10th of August. Day twenty- four.Fowlers Bay CP to Shelly Beach Ceduna.Today was up and out to the jetty to check sunrise. A bit late for the early orange colour. Then breaky, pack up and park the car and van to park in the Esplanade ready for our Whale watching cruise with Rod and Mya’s EP Cruises. (Bruce the decky) The cruise was unbelievable. We saw… Read more: Way out West 2025. 10th of August. Day twenty- four.Fowlers Bay CP to Shelly Beach Ceduna.
- Way out West 2025. 9th of August. Day twenty-three.Nullabor Roadhouse campground to Fowlers Bay CP Packed up this morning unhitched the van and we backtracked the 72 kilometres to the Bunda cliff view point. Stef and Phil had a chat to Richard and Family (Laverne, Sara and Jackson) and the plan was to check out the cliffs, pick up the vans, follow Richard… Read more: Way out West 2025. 9th of August. Day twenty-three.
- Way out West 2025. 8th of August. Day twenty-two.Border Village CP to Nullabor Roadhouse campground. Up about 7 o’clock local time. (Whatever that is) Quite chilly once the sun rose. We got away and found the old Eyre Hwy and needed to stop shortly after and let the tyres down again. (It’s a bit gravelly, rocky and generally a track) Then we set… Read more: Way out West 2025. 8th of August. Day twenty-two.
- Way out West 2025. 7th of August. Day twenty-one.Baxter Cliffs dune camp to Border Village CP at the Roadhouse in Border Village. Up to start the day with sunrise over the dunes and a visit by the Pink Cockatoos. Then we headed out again. Back over the same terrain in reverse. Well, after a mighty total of 68.8 km yesterday and this morning,… Read more: Way out West 2025. 7th of August. Day twenty-one.
- Way out West 2025. 6th of August. Day twenty.Cocklebiddy CP to Baxter Cliffs dune camp. A fair bit of phaffing and a slow start today. Samantha and Bruce were fed a kangaroo heart by one of the staff – evidently the kangaroo hunters drop off some hearts for the eagles. Stef had a look at his coolant leak – so much gunk and… Read more: Way out West 2025. 6th of August. Day twenty.
- Way out West 2025. 5th of August. Day nineteen.Rawlinna Campground to Cocklebiddy CP. Left this morning about 8:45 after a busy ‘phaffing day’ yesterday. We turned onto the Trans Access Road and followed beside the rail line for about 45kms on a good wide road with a few wet patches here and there. A lot more Roos around this morning Red and grey… Read more: Way out West 2025. 5th of August. Day nineteen.
- Way out West 2025. 4th of August. Day eighteen.Rawlinna Campground. Well it did rain a little more last night and a fair wind. The van rocked a little bit. A couple of trains hurtled past. We were in bed early as the wind and rain sent us packing from the fire. I published a blog and was too tired to finish another. Up… Read more: Way out West 2025. 4th of August. Day eighteen.
- Way out West 2025. 3rd of August. Day seventeen.Crossroads Camp in amongst some trees to Rawlinna Campground. A record breaking day – all out of the barriers and on the road before 7:30 (7:28) there is rain forecast and these roads may not be fun… or even passable when wet. Being up early and cloudy made for brilliant colours across the sky at… Read more: Way out West 2025. 3rd of August. Day seventeen.
- Way out West 2025. 2nd of August. Day sixteen.Neale Breakaways camp to Crossroads Camp in amongst some trees. 154 kms down the track. Awoke for sunrise this am. Steve and I captured some of the morning colours on the breakaways. Had time for a bit of a walk around the wall behind camp this morning. So many colours and textures in the rocks.… Read more: Way out West 2025. 2nd of August. Day sixteen.
- Way out West 2025. 1st of August. Day fifteen.Connie Sue camp 98.3kms later to Neale Breakaways camp. I was in the lead first thing this morning and the track was good …for a little while, until it wasn’t. The corrugations continue to confound and look innocuous butman, they slow you down and rattle around.The sun is shining in a way that disguises them.… Read more: Way out West 2025. 1st of August. Day fifteen.
- Way out West 2025. 31st of July. Day fourteen.Camp on the Connie Sue 84.5kms later to another Connie Sue camp 98.3kms later. Away at 8:40 this morning, flat battery for me. Using the heated blanket might have been a bit too much luxury. Jump start by Phil’s ubeaut jump starter. Overcast with blue sky patches and thankfully blue sky and fluffy clouds prevailed… Read more: Way out West 2025. 31st of July. Day fourteen.
- Way out West 2025. 30th of July. Day thirteen.Jet A-1 fuel camp on Connie Sue Road to a camp on the Connie Sue 84.5kms later. Awoke about 5 needing a loo visit. Sun glow is starting in the Wesr and the frost is setting in. It’s freezing. Back into warm bed and did a bit of blogging before another hours sleep. No sleep… Read more: Way out West 2025. 30th of July. Day thirteen.
- Way out West 2025. 29th of July. Day twelve.Desert camp off past the camel yards on Blockstone Warburton Rd. to Jet A-1 fuel camp on Connie Sue Rd. Up and away by 8:45. A relaxed start as we have no place we have to be today. Last night we topped up my tank with one 20 litre jerrycan and that should get me… Read more: Way out West 2025. 29th of July. Day twelve.
- Way out West 2025. 28th of July. Day eleven.Desert Oaks Camp on the SBJT about 57 kms from Great Central Road to a camp off past the camel yards on Blockstone Warburton Rd. Away today by 8:30. After a rather mild night under the stars beneath the desert oaks. Last night was time for a good wash, so I put the tent down… Read more: Way out West 2025. 28th of July. Day eleven.
- Way out West 2025. 27th of July. Day ten.Trackside camp between dunes on the Sandy Blight Junction Track, WA to a Desert Oaks Camp on the SBJT about 57 kms from Great Central Road. The normal morning routine, except body clock and time are at odds. (Given we are now 90mins behind our Vic time) Quite cool but not freezing. We left camp… Read more: Way out West 2025. 27th of July. Day ten.
- Way out West 2025. 26th of July. Day nine.Roadside camp near a tower about 50kms from Kintore to a trackside camp between dunes on the Sandy Blight Junction Track, WA. A bit of a slower start this morning no rain to contend with and we got away from camp at about 9:30. Into Kentore to fuel up and get ready for our first… Read more: Way out West 2025. 26th of July. Day nine.
- Way out West 2025. 25th of July. Day eight.Gravel pit about 2 hours west of Alice Springs to a roadside camp near a tower about 50kms from Kintore. Awoke between 1 and 2am to wind AND rain on the roof. A bit of buffeting but nothing too bad. It actually cooled down to a cosy sleeping temperature. The new canvas back handled wind… Read more: Way out West 2025. 25th of July. Day eight.
- Way out West 2025. 24th of July. Day seven.Ooraminna Homestead to a camp in a gravel pit about 2 hours west of Alice Springs. Up early to get sorted and hook up, pay up etc. Then to head into Alice for laundry, some bits and bobs and supermarket and most important fuel for humans and vehicles. After lunch time for fuel. I’ve been… Read more: Way out West 2025. 24th of July. Day seven.
- Way out West 2025. 23rd of July. Day six. Eringa Waterhole to Ooraminna Station Homestead. Way out West 2025. 23rd of July. Day six.Eringa waterhole to Ooraminna homestead. We headed off along the track through stations towards Finke. Into Finke at 11:30. Called Ooraminna homestead to see if we could book in tonight. It’s only 30 kms from Alice Springs where we are meeting… Read more: Way out West 2025. 23rd of July. Day six.
- Way out West 2025. 22nd of July. Day five William Creek to Eringa Waterhole. Way out West 2025. 22nd of July. Day five – William Creek to Eringa Waterhole. After a windy night and the brain working overtime in frustration, it was warm and toasty in the van with the lid closed. (Too windy for the canvas back)I got up a couple of times… Read more: Way out West 2025. 22nd of July. Day five
- Way out West 2025. 21st of July. Day fourMuloorina Station SA to William Creek via Level Post Bay. Happy Birthday Pete B. Another cool crisp night, cool out but with the right clothes and a fire you can stay warm.It was magic last night stargazing into the ink dark sky and twinkling stars. No moon so awesome. Tea last night was a solid… Read more: Way out West 2025. 21st of July. Day four
- Way out West 2025.20th of July. Day three – Orreroo to Muloorina Station Campground SA. After wake up and breaky with some stunning Ring neck Parrots? and pack up we headed off at 9:15ish across the road to have a look at Pekina Reservoir, then Pekina Run Ruins. Fuelled up at Carrieton. A lovely community owned store and… Read more: Way out West 2025.
- Way out West 2025.19th of July. Day two – Mildura to Orreroo SA. We breakfasted in the very flash camp kitchen after showers all around. (Phil had his last night) Away at 11.00. Why so late you may ask? Late night. Stuffed and we all slept well. Things to do in town this am. Purchase: We eventually really… Read more: Way out West 2025.
- Way out West 202518th of July. Day one – Moe to Mildura. We got away at 9:55. Today’s crew is Mary and Phil and Stef.We’ve chosen to leave a day or two earlier to enable a run past Lake Eyre. Smooth sailing through Melbourne, despite a slow patch due to a breakdown on Todd Rd. Loo and. Lunch… Read more: Way out West 2025
- Way out West 2025. Prologue.An outback trip with the usual suspects. Destination: Sandy Blight Junction Track and Surveyor General’s Corner.
- Awesome African Adventure. Day 46/47 – May 23-25, 2025Leaving Madagascar, hello Nairobi and bound for Dubai…and home. Out to the airport, it ticked over midnight. Check in with Kenya Airlines was time consuming as they were keen to see all our tickets home. We had plenty of time and there seemed to be almost no-one else here.No stress through passport. control (once we’d… Read more: Awesome African Adventure. Day 46/47 – May 23-25, 2025
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Travel adventures with Nicola & co. 