Welcome to the Simpson Desert 4×4 Tagalong Tour Itinerary!
This is your guide to one of the world’s greatest desert crossings. Here you’ll discover everything you need to prepare for tackling the mighty dunes, camping under endless starry skies, and experiencing the raw, red heart of Australia.
Our tours run on set departure dates, which you’ll see listed below. Scroll down further for the full day-by-day itinerary, packed with details about the tracks you’ll drive, the places you’ll camp, and the incredible experiences along the way.
If you still have questions or need extra info, check out our FAQ page or Contact Us directly. We’re always happy to help.
Ningi, QLD – Mt Dare – Ningi, QLD
10th – 25th April – PLACES REMAINING
Ningi, QLD – Mt Dare – Ningi, QLD
1st – 16th May – PLACES REMAINING
We depart Ningi, QLD at approximately 0800. Our first stop is Stoney Creek for morning tea. We stop for lunch at Muntapa Tunnel, then continue to camp at Chinchilla Weir.
We depart Mitchell for camp tonight at Lake Quilpie.
We only have a short drive into Birdsville today. This gives us time to prepare and look around Birdsville before we embark on our desert crossing the following day. A great opportunity to grab that camel pie, for lunch, from the Birdsville Bakery.
We depart Mt Dare for our return journey via the less travelled Madigan Line. If time allows, we will detour to Lamberts Geographical Centre. The most widely accepted centre of Australia.
We depart Birdsville for camp on the Cooper Creek, near Windorah.
We spend our last night in Dalby. On our way we will stop for a rejuvenating soak in the healing waters of Mitchel Hot Springs.
Today is a BIG day! We visit the Roma Saleyards, the largest cattle sale yards in the Southern Hemisphere. We will also see Roma’s largest bottle tree and the Big Rig, a museum dedicated to the history of Australia’s Oil and Gas exploration. We then travel to Mitchell for a soak in the healing thermal waters of the Great Artesian Spa. Great Artesian Spa | Mitchell Queensland
Today is one of our longer drives as we start to head into the Channel Country and wide open spaces of western QLD. We will have lunch on the bank of the Cooper Creek. Here you’ll have a chance to catch some yabbies or try your luck for a Yellow-belly (Golden Perch, Callop). Tonight, we camp at the famous Betoota Hotel.
Where we camp and how much we travel for the next 4-days will be largely determined by travelling conditions. We aim to reach Mt Dare, via Dalhousie Springs for a much-deserved soak in the 40 degree spring water, on day 9.
Again, where we camp for the next few days will depend on travelling conditions. We aim to arrive back in Birdsville on day 13.
Tonight we camp at Charleville. Here we will have a tour of the WW2 Secret Army Base and learn of the region’s important war time role.
We aim to arrive back in Ningi at 1600hrs.
We depart Ningi, QLD at approximately 0800. Our first stop is Stoney Creek for morning tea. We stop for lunch at Muntapa Tunnel, then continue to camp at Chinchilla Weir.
Today is a BIG day! We visit the Roma Saleyards, the largest cattle sale yards in the Southern Hemisphere. We will also see Roma’s largest bottle tree and the Big Rig, a museum dedicated to the history of Australia’s Oil and Gas exploration. We then travel to Mitchell for a soak in the healing thermal waters of the Great Artesian Spa. Great Artesian Spa | Mitchell Queensland
We depart Mitchell for camp tonight at Lake Quilpie.
Today is one of our longer drives as we start to head into the Channel Country and wide open spaces of western QLD. We will have lunch on the bank of the Cooper Creek. Here you’ll have a chance to catch some yabbies or try your luck for a Yellow-belly (Golden Perch, Callop). Tonight, we camp at the famous Betoota Hotel.
We only have a short drive into Birdsville today. This gives us time to prepare and look around Birdsville before we embark on our desert crossing the following day. A great opportunity to grab that camel pie, for lunch, from the Birdsville Bakery.
Where we camp and how much we travel for the next 4-days will be largely determined by travelling conditions. We aim to reach Mt Dare, via Dalhousie Springs for a much-deserved soak in the 40 degree spring water, on day 9.
We depart Mt Dare for our return journey via the less travelled Madigan Line. If time allows, we will detour to Lamberts Geographical Centre. The most widely accepted centre of Australia.
Again, where we camp for the next few days will depend on travelling conditions. We aim to arrive back in Birdsville on day 13.
We depart Birdsville for camp on the Cooper Creek, near Windorah.
Tonight we camp at Charleville. Here we will have a tour of the WW2 Secret Army Base and learn of the region’s important war time role.
We spend our last night in Dalby. On our way we will stop for a rejuvenating soak in the healing waters of Mitchel Hot Springs.
We aim to arrive back in Ningi at 1600hrs.
A fully equipped Ex-Army Land Rover Perentie, set up with:
Personal toiletries (please use eco-friendly products)
Clothes, pillow, sheets/sleeping bag
Snacks & drinks (alcohol permitted, but restrictions apply in Indigenous communities and north of the Jardine River—your tour leader will advise)
Camera, binoculars, torch/headlamp, and any extra fishing gear
Most importantly: a sense of adventure!
A detailed packing list will be provided in your tour information pack upon booking.
The Simpson Desert is home to more than 1,100 parallel sand dunes, some stretching for over 200 km in length! The most famous dune is Big Red, which stands about 40 metres tall and is considered the unofficial gateway to the desert.