Simpson Desert

The Simpson Desert stretches south from Alice Springs towards the South Australia border. Many attractions located on its fringes are an easy day trip from Alice Springs and deliver a taste of its fascinating natural, cultural and historical wonders.

The Simpson Desert is host to some of the best four-wheel-driving in Australia. An endless horizon, rolling sand dunes and challenging desert four wheel drive tracks all contribute to an ultimate frontier experience. Travelling through this desert region means exploring territory very few people have seen.

The Old Ghan Heritage Track passes through the Simpson Desert on its way from Port Augusta in South Australia to Alice Springs. This is one of Australia’s most important heritage trails as it follows the route of the original narrow gauge Ghan line. Interpretive signs on replica railway trolleys are located at 20 key points along the trail and tell the story of an incredible engineering achievement in the outback.

Not far from the Stuart Highway (Explorer’s Way), south of Alice Springs is Rainbow Valley. Nestled in the James Ranges, it is a spectacular sandstone bluff with rainbow like bands, best seen in the late afternoon sun or after heavy rainfall.

An easy stop off on the way to Chambers Pillar is the Ewaninga Rock Carvings Conservation Reserve. These rock carvings and petroglyphs provide a fascinating record of many important beliefs by the local Arrernte people. Chambers Pillar was named after one of the explorer John McDouall Stuart’s sponsors and rises as a solitary beacon out of the vast red plains and the early pioneers used it as a navigational landmark. When you clamber up the hill to this 50 metre sandstone pillar’s base, you’ll be inspired by the markings made by nineteenth century explorers who carved their names into the soft sandstone.

After stopping at the Aboriginal community of Finke to refuel and buy refreshments, you may want to head out to Old Andando, the heritage listed station where Molly Clark has lived alone for 50 years. Molly holds a fundraising bash for the National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame at Old Andando every year.

Temperatures for Simpson Desert

Simpson Desert has hot summer temperatures. The summer high temperature for Simpson Desert is approximately 36 °c. The summer low temperature is approximately 20 °c.

Simpson Desert has mild winter temperatures. The winter high temperature for Simpson Desert is approximately 19 °c. The winter low temperature is approximately 4 °c.

MONTH	LOW °c	HIGH °c
January	21	36
February	21	35
March	17	33
April	13	28
May	8	23
June	5	20
July	4	19
August	6	22
September	10	27
October	15	31
November	18	33
December	20	35

Northern Territory DVD (Australia's Outback)

Purchase this DVD that showcases this unique part of Australia. Includes footage of Kakadu, with its lush rivers, billabongs and wetlands. Yellow Waters, Twin and Jim Jim Falls. The mysterious paintings of ancient Aboriginal artists including Arnhem Land at Ubirr and Nourlangie Rock.

Visit Litchfield National Park, Katherine Gorge and the warm waters of Mataranka Thermal Pool, plus the sandstone shapes in the Lost City near Cape Crawford.

Experience Darwin, the capital of Australia's Tropical North with it's many attractions. Learn about Alice Springs, where legendary tales of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Old Telegraph Station can be heard. The MacDonnell Ranges, Standley Chasm and Glen Helen Gorge, Uluru ( Ayers Rock ) and the magnificent domes of Kata Tjuta ( The Olgas ) also feature.

Featured Northern Territory Dvds and Videos


NORTHERN TERRITORYS CENTRE - Land of the Rainbow Gold BUY ONLINE	NORTHERN TERRITORY REFLECTIONS - A Musical Odyssey across a Timeless Land BUY ONLINE	NORTHERN TERRITORY - Australias Outback BUY ONLINE	DARWIN - Australias Top End City BUY ONLINE