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.
- 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
- Awesome African Adventure. Day 45/46- May 22/23, 2025Madagascar Adventure ends – Free day in Tana/departure for Antananarivo Airport. Sleep in today.Up and re-organise the packing a bit prior to brekkie and meeting the others at 9:30.We sat over a long brekkie before heading off for a walk along the Avenue of Independence or Liberation.Before we left the hotel, we booked for lunch… Read more: Awesome African Adventure. Day 45/46- May 22/23, 2025
- Awesome African Adventure. Day 44 – May 21, 2025Queens Palace and Lemur Park, birthday celebrations continue. Farewell Benj 🥲 Nice sleep, if short. The majority of pillows for the past 6 weeks have been made of small foam blocks held in some sort of pillow shaped bag – the room here has some options (including the foam block option) first world problems. Up… Read more: Awesome African Adventure. Day 44 – May 21, 2025
- Awesome African Adventure. Day 43 – May 20, 2025Happy Birthday Suzie. Fly back to Tana. Happy 75th Birthday to Suzie! Today we marked the milestone 75th with a visit to a local reserve/botanical garden in Ifaty, Madagascar. Reniala Jardin ReservePrivately owned by French/Malagassy. Est. 2000. Also the Brigitte Bardot sanctuary rehabilitation for the Ring Tailed Maki Lemur. They started with 5 now 125.Reniala… Read more: Awesome African Adventure. Day 43 – May 20, 2025
- Awesome African Adventure. Day 42 – May 19, 2025Ifaty – Coastal Activities Suzie took a pirogue ride with Benj to the Village and back again. The rest of took another different a pirogue (local outrigger canoe) out to the Massif de Roses reef for a snorkel. Here is Benj’s outline for the day today. Day 13: May 19th, 2025 – Ifaty : Discovery… Read more: Awesome African Adventure. Day 42 – May 19, 2025
- Awesome African Adventure. Day 41 – May 18, 2025Isalo to Ifaty via Tulear. We actually managed to depart ahead of schedule today – if only by a couple of minutes at 7:13. Today is our last loooong day in the van. There is no activity stops along the way and we have a packed lunch from Isalo Ranch.I was experiencing some Bali belly… Read more: Awesome African Adventure. Day 41 – May 18, 2025
- Awesome African Adventure. Day 40 – May 17, 2025Gorge Walk in Isalo & Lemur Picnic. We dropped Nairin and our Chef back into town and headed home to the Ranch Isalo, the name comes from the Portuguese sailors who were shipwrecked on the coast. They walked to Isalo and sheltered here in a grotto. The ‘I’ precedes a Proper noun, I Benj, I… Read more: Awesome African Adventure. Day 40 – May 17, 2025
- Awesome African Adventure. Day 39 – May 16, 2025Ringtails and Flower Paper Leaving Ranomafana and heading south for warmer weather to Ranohira Here’s the plan from Benj – sent via What’s app each day. Day 10: May 16th, 2025 – Ranomafana to Ranohira Isalo 06:30 AM: Early breakfast at Manja Guest House.07:15 AM: Depart Ranomafana, drive through the city of Fianarantsoa (actually 7:25,… Read more: Awesome African Adventure. Day 39 – May 16, 2025
- Awesome African Adventure. Day 38 – May 15, 2025Ranomafana Rainforest Bit of a glitch with the photos today. I haven’t got them in any particular order so I will just leave them in a jumble. Also I can no longer remember which chameleon is which. Suffice to say they are all amazing and taken in a very wet rainy night. Popped my head… Read more: Awesome African Adventure. Day 38 – May 15, 2025
- Awesome African Adventure. Day 37 – May 14, 2025Antsirabe to Ranomafana. Antsirabe to Ranomafana Rano-water, mana – hot. It’s another short distance but long trip. Let’s see how we do. Nico has an artisan family cheese/dairy factory. Today he brought a small wheel of cheese and a yogurt for us to share. (The yoghurt for Benj as it’s fermented and maybe not ok… Read more: Awesome African Adventure. Day 37 – May 14, 2025
- Awesome African Adventure. Day 35 – May 13, 2025Antisirabe Gem Shops & Local Artisans Water and power stops and starts here it seems. I was in the shower last night when the power went off- very dark in the bathroom. Suzie was readying for hair washing day this morning when I discovered no water! Off to reception to ask about it. The water… Read more: Awesome African Adventure. Day 35 – May 13, 2025
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Travel adventures with Nicola & co. 