Simpson desert

simpson desert tour overview

Join Ellwood Motorcycle Adventures for an exhilarating 7-day double crossing of the Simpson Desert, an absolute must for every motorcycle enthusiast. This isn’t just a ride; it’s a journey through the heart of Australia’s Red Centre, offering a chance to escape the hustle of daily life and immerse yourself in untouched landscapes. The Simpson Desert is renowned for its 1100 sand dunes, stunning vistas, rugged terrain, and deep history, punctuated by stops at iconic outback pubs that add a unique charm to the adventure.

This tour is a trail bike tour, meaning all you will need is a backpack on your back with your hydration bladder, some snacks and maybe some lunch. The journey is fully supported by our renowned Ellwood Isuzu truck, equipped with everything necessary for a seamless 7-day desert exploration—camping gear, bikes, fuel, food, safety measures, and emergency provisions are all taken care of. Our route includes highlights like the Munga-Thirri Simpson Desert National Park, sections of the prestigious Finke Desert racetrack, and the serene Dalhousie thermal springs for a rejuvenating swim.

Explore the lesser-known tracks of the southern Simpson Desert, enjoy evenings at the historic Birdsville Pub and Mt Dare Hotel, and capture memories atop the iconic Big Red sand dune. Visit the unique convergence point at Poeppels Corner where Queensland, South Australia, and the Northern Territory meet, and delve into history at the Old Andado Homestead. This adventure promises a perfect blend of challenge, camaraderie, and discovery, offering riders an unforgettable experience in one of Australia’s most amazing landscapes.

Start and Finish: We will start our journey from Alice Springs on Day 1 and return to Alice Springs on day 7.
Duration: 7 Days of riding, covering approximately 1500 kilometers.
Terrain: 95% sand and dirt roads, with a combination of challenging sand dunes and desert tracks. Riders will experience sections of the renowned Finke Desert racetrack, the remote trails of the southern Simpson Desert, and the iconic Big Red sand dune.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. Previous sand riding experience is required for this tour, and riders should be comfortable with long stretches of sand and desert terrain. This tour offers no split options once on the trails, making it essential to have both skill and endurance.
Accommodation: Tented camping for 6 nights, with an optional upgrade to cabin accommodation for 1 night at Mt Dare.
Distances: Riders will cover up to 300km per day, with fuel available daily. A fuel range of 300km is necessary for the tour, and we will refuel at stations and roadhouses where available.

Tour Highlights

Challenge yourself with an epic journey across the Simpson Desert, riding the legendary Finke Track and visiting Peoppel Corner. Traverse the historic WAA Line and the remote Frenchline. Stop at the iconic Mt Dare Hotel before relaxing in the soothing waters of Dalhousie Springs and exploring the nearby ruins. Experience the rustic charm of Old Andado Station and end your adventure with a visit to the famous Birdsville Pub.

- Hire bike
- All food and non-alcoholic drinks including pub meals at Birdsville and Mt Dare
- 1 night Cabin style accommodation at Mt Dare
- Fully equipped support vehicle to carry all supplies required for the tour including camping gear
- Trained first aiders
- SAT Phone, EPIRB and Spot Tracker
- Lead and sweep riders with over 15 years of experience
- A discount code to use with our partners
- All permits and desert parks pass
- Free Ellwood T-shirt
- Photos and videos of the entire tour
- Your motorcycle license (motorcycle learners is ok)
- Riding gear
- Sleeping bag and pillow
- Clothes
- Personal items
- Hydration backpack
- Personal rider Travel insurance
- Gear rental
We recommend that a good level of skill and fitness is required to enjoy this tour. If you have joined us on any of our amazing tour options we offer, you will know that we can cater for almost any level of rider experience as we have multiple guides and can split groups if required. The Simpson desert 7-day double crossing is a little different as there is no option to split the group when the trails get challenging. The first crossing of the Simpson from Alice to Birdsville on the tour is a little less challenging to get everyone used to desert riding before we tackle the more challenging tracks and dunes for the second crossing back to Alice Springs. If you are a beginner level rider, we strongly recommend getting some riding training before joining us on this tour. Previous experience riding in sand is a must for this tour.
Both hire and BYO bike options are available. If you bring your own bike, you'll need to supply your own camping gear, including a tent and mattress. For those hiring a bike, all camping gear is provided. This is a fully supported trail bike tour, with our support truck carrying your gear and a fully stocked esky, meeting you at the campsite each day.
Your bike will need to be in good order to tackle 10 days across the remote top end and Kimberley region, and we can recommend advice on bike set up if needed.
We offer 16 Honda CRF450RL bikes for hire, with each rental including all camping gear, such as a tent and air mattress.
Each night, we’ll be camping in the desert, with one night spent in accommodation. Please note that water will be limited as we’ll be in the desert; although running water will be available, it’s important to be mindful of usage.

Price

Riding your own bike $3990
Hire Bike $5890

Ready to Ride? Book your spot now for an unforgettable journey through Australia’s most iconic landscapes. Whether you're chasing adventure, breathtaking scenery, or the camaraderie of fellow riders, the Simpson Desert Tour with Ellwood Motorcycle Adventures has it all.