4 Desert Trips in one 2026 #1
Date and time: 8:00am, Sunday 5th July to 4:00pm Friday 17th July
Trip Standard: Medium
Description: With the Simpson Desert remaining closed in many parts due to too much water, the Simpson and Surrounds trip has a replanned route. The plan – time permitting is to complete the following 4 routes which are all in the Hema Atlas Great Desert Tracks.
- Googs Track
- Oodnadatta Track
- Strzelecki Track
- Sturt National Park circuit (includes Camerons Corner and Tibooburra)
Overnight stops will be unplanned so self-sufficient bush camping gear is required. There are two waves of this trip two days apart, and whilst similar itineraries, the respective trip leader may elect to spend more/less time in certain areas – particularly transit sections at the start and end of the tracks. Plan for each day will be decided day by day. Closer to departure we will have a separate briefing and meeting to confirm the routes and meeting points. In the meantime contact the trip leader if you have any queries.
Equipment required:
Mandatory
- 4x4 vehicle
- 4 tyres of LT construction, full-sized spare and wheel, preferably 1 additional spare tyre which may be on a wheel or not.
- Plug tyre repair kit.
- Air compressor.
- Sand flag.
- Food & water sufficient for 3 days
- Shovel for sand recovery.
- Snatch strap or KERR.
- Basic tools – spanners, multi-meter, screwdrivers, knife, tapes, file, pliers etc, any spares appropriate for your vehicle.
- 80-channel UHF radio 5-watt, in-car mount.
- At least 1 handheld UHF radio.
- Vehicle pre-trip inspected.
Recommended
- Satellite comms system e.g. satphone, sat communicator, PLB. We will have a Starlink in addition.
- Traction ramps e.g. Maxtrax, x4.
As this is an extended trip, we will have a separate briefing and meeting to do the detailed planning.
No pets or firearms
Maps and Reference Material: Hema outback maps covering the area
Fuel: Long range tanks should not be necessary.
Distance: Most days will be driving of 3-6 hours.
Duration: Approx 14 days
Convoy limit: 4 vehicles – if the trip is full, contact the trip leader to be wait listed
Meeting arrangements: TBA
Club Guest Registration policy: It is club policy in regard to insurance cover that if a member brings any non-members on the trip they must be registered and have paid the required fee as Temporary Members BEFORE the event.
i.e. non- members can no longer register on the day with the trip leader.
Temporary Membership information and ways to register can be found at:
Temporary (Guest) Membership
Also if a non-member wishes to bring their own vehicle, the member inviting the non-member must contact the trip leader for approval to bring the vehicle. Such approval will take into account skills of the driver, suitability of the vehicle and whether or not a place within the convoy limit is available for a non-member's vehicle.
Trip Leader: Robert Pepper / robert@peppernet.org / 0408 226354
Melbourne 4WD Club