Day 6. Thursday October 6th - Birdsville to somewhere in the Simpson.

Thursday October 6^th.

 Awoke to many birds in Birdsville, a quick tour around the town.We departed Birdsville Camp ground, to fuel up, both with diesel for the cars and coffee from the Birdsville Bakery for the humans.

The hot water used for geothermal power in Birdsville, cooling the water.

Ska outside the pub.

 We also arranged the obligatory group shot with humans and vehicles in front of the Birdsville Pub.

Here we are outside the Birdsville Pub

We headed out the road towards the Desert, only to find the road sign indicating that Big Red was requiring “CAUTION” and Dalhousie and Marree were CLOSED. This sent us back to the parks office to check out the conditions, with a possibility of returning to camp to set back up till it was all open. Seemingly an inexplicable error with signs, the ranger made some phone calls and these all indicated that they could see no reason why things might be closed.

the road sign we ignored in the end.

So the adventure was back on, we headed out the detour to Big Red. We needed to detour due to the normal track being well and truly underwater. The trip out was pretty good, lots of lizards, some brolgas etc etc.

Some brolgas by the track to the desert

Prior to the first dune we pulled over by the ‘border fence’ to raise the Sand Flags, a long awaited event for Dad, who had purchased the flag for last year, but never got to raise it. After due ceremony and plenty of photos we proceeded on our way.

Firing up the flags, the flag raising ceremony prior to entry to the Simpson.

Flags aloft - all ready to go.

lizard on a post - pretty obvious really!!

When we arrived at Big Red there was much to do, with tyres to be let down, options to be considered. Steve had a first run at Big Red, and after several sets of adjustments successfully made it over. Stef had a couple of runs also, and after more adjustment and less air in the tyres he was over the top also. Mike decided to opt for another option and successfully crested the top. Dad took a couple of runs also with adjustments to the tyre pressure and over he went.

Inspecting Big Red, which way is the best way up.

Gathered at the base of Big Red.

Steve was the first 'crash test dummy' tackling the middle track a few times before he made it over.



Steve on a first approach.

There was a really close one...



I think I can, I think I can.

and further tyre pressures to be adjusted.


Further adjustments to tyres.

Steve made it up and over ...and even turned around to have a peek back down before taking up the camera to watch the remainder of the crew tackle Big Red.


Hey he made it and having a look back down at us.

Dad and Ro psyching up for the big run.

Myself and Kerri, with heaps of encouragement, and longer and longer run ups, finally made it over the top on our fifth or sixth attempt (too many to count.) The adrenalin was certainly pumping, after the first attempt the initial hesitance was gone and the fun began to get enough torque and momentum to get over the top.

The view once there was simply amazing, with the floods etc in 2011, the swales between the Big Red and the other dunes had become one big lake, evidently not seen in the last 50 years,  so a rare and spectacular sight.


The view from the top, wow, this is more of the Yasi flood.

Here we are on top.

The track usually comes this way over Big Red, looks like a detour for while.

Birds (Brown shouldered Kites) eye view from top of Big Red

 After plenty of photos and celebration that we all made it to the top, the next challenge was which option to take on the way down.

******MORE WORK TO DO ON THIS PAGE - more photos, but it is time consuming and our short stop for a coffee at Coober Pedy is about to come to an end.****** - NOW DONE.

Stef took the hard route and was “beached az bro” on the crest of Big Red for a bit, nothing some digging and pushing couldn’t fix.

Yep...stuck or 'beached az bro'

I'll get by with a little help from my friends.

 Steve took the same route as Stef, which was a tad easier with a metre or so of the crest flattened out.

The rest of us otped for the easier and less steep route.

All safely at the bottom we had a well earned lunch, before cruising further into the Simpson to find a camping spot. A great spot found with plenty of wood, some flat ground, some shelter and room for us all. Magic.

lizard sunning itself on a bush along the way.

Dad and Ro approaching campsite turn off...I think.

Steve, Stef and Ro took to the shovels to dig toilet hole and fire pits, whilst Dad chopped some wood and the rest of us set up tents. Reve and Dad got a great fire going to prepare some coals for the roast we were ‘forced’ to have as Steve’s cryovaced roasts had ‘popped’ and needed to be eaten.

Toilet pit site to be selected and dug. Thanks Stef and Ro.

Dad went about gathering some wood.

 We prepared a veritable feast, preceded by nibbles and drinks.

Time for a drink/nibble in the shade of a tree.

Milani making names and pictures for us all.

Dad tending to the gravy and Cathy preparing the squishy vegies

Stef carving with plenty of support/advice from the crew.

the finished product - bloody beautiful it was too.

A superbly still night, to sit around and gaze at the stars and enjoy the first real night out on the track. A toast to missing friends in Col and Mary. To finish the night a nip of Bailey’s Tokay or a wee dram of Glenlivet 12 year old single malt scotch whisky....now for a cuppa tea and bed...looking forward to day two into the Simpson.