Image 1 of 27
Image 2 of 27
Image 3 of 27
Image 4 of 27
Image 5 of 27
Image 6 of 27
Image 7 of 27
Image 8 of 27
Image 9 of 27
Image 10 of 27
Image 11 of 27
Image 12 of 27
Image 13 of 27
Image 14 of 27
Image 15 of 27
Image 16 of 27
Image 17 of 27
Image 18 of 27
Image 19 of 27
Image 20 of 27
Image 21 of 27
Image 22 of 27
Image 23 of 27
Image 24 of 27
Image 25 of 27
Image 26 of 27
Image 27 of 27
“★★★★★ Five star rating. Our second trip with 4x4 Explore was a wonderful trip. Booked on it to learn how to tow on different road conditions and experienced so much. Even though there were road closures we managed to get to all three corners with little detour thanks to 4x4 Explore’s efficient organisation. Would recommend 4x4 Explore to anyone that wants an adventure in the outback.”
-
The tour will link up in Birdsville by 4:00pm on Day 1. Following a brief on the tour, we will get to know each other over dinner at the iconic Birdsville Hotel. We will depart Birdsville in the morning of Day 2, so if you would like to take the opportunity to see some of the highlights around Birdsville before the tour starts we suggest arriving a day or two early.
We will head west from Birdsville into the eastern edge of the Simpson Desert, passing through Munga-Thirri National Park and across the border into the Northern Territory before visiting Poeppel Corner, the first of three corner posts on this tour. In just this short distance into the Simpson, you will recognise the size and challenge that some of the sand dunes present. You will see sandy swales and claypans between dunes, and the dry salt lake of Lake Poeppel. Heading back east, you will appreciate that the prevailing westerly winds make for a more gentle upslope on the western approach to the crest of each dune. Having bypassed it on the way out, we will tackle the iconic “Big Red” (Nappanerica). This is the largest dune in the Simpson Desert at some 40m tall, and one of the ‘must-do’s’ for any 4WD enthusiast. From Big Red, we will take the opportunity to refuel in Birdsville before visiting the Dreamtime Serpent artwork and spending the night camped at Betoota (population: 0) where we can enjoy a cold drink and dinner at the Betoota Hotel.
Our next corner post is Haddon Corner at the NE corner of South Australia, before we head towards Innamincka. This area is well known for the ‘dig tree’ left at the depot camp during Burke and Wills’ expedition to cross the continent from south to north in the early 1860s. We will learn more about this ill-fated expedition as we visit the ‘dig tree’, Burke’s gravesite and Wills’ memorial cairn. You will also experience the beauty of the famous Cooper Creek as we camp on it’s banks and visit a waterhole or two, and we will take the opportunity for a cold drink and dinner at the Innamincka Hotel.
We will head south from Innamincka down the iconic Old Strzelecki Track which was blazed by the cattle thief, Harry Readford in 1870. You will see dams, bores and stockyards which are evidence of the remote cattle stations working in this part of the country, before we arrive at our third corner post at Cameron Corner. We will camp at the corner store, which gives us time to wander around the corner, get photos standing in three states, and have a look at this part of the 5000+km dog fence (which, from the corner, runs south along the NSW/SA border and east along the NSW/QLD border). It also provides another opportunity for a cold drink and for someone else to cook dinner.
The next day will be a reasonably early start as we have a lot of ground to cover and several stops to make. We will view some desert art in the form of three large wire sculptures, each representing a marsupial species which has become extinct in the region. We will visit Tibooburra where the original Cameron Corner post is now kept, and Milparinka which offers a fascinating glimpse of outback life. We will pass through to just outside Broken Hill to visit the Living Desert Sculptures and experience their “changing moods” as the sun sinks lower in the sky. A camp site this last night is included in your tour price, where the tour will conclude by reliving our adventures and sharing stories with new friends.
If you have time after the tour, there is much to do around Broken Hill. A mine tour, a visit to Silverton (known for both silver mining and the silver screen), and spending some time at the Pro Hart gallery are all recommended.
-
Payment Options
To reserve a place on the tour of your choice, you can pay in full or pay a 30% deposit. If paying a deposit, we will email an invoice for the 70% balance payable six weeks before your tour starts. The option to pay a deposit is not available within six weeks of your tour start date.
Payment Methods
If paying online, at check out you can choose to pay by Apple Pay, PayPal, or by credit or debit card. If you would prefer to pay by bank transfer, you can request an invoice.
Please read our Terms of Service before booking.
-
If you are looking for more tours designed for those who like to 4WD while still enjoying the comfort and convenience of your off-road trailer, camper trailer or caravan, see our other trailer tours.
Have any questions?
