Step into one of Australia’s most iconic outback adventures: the 9-day Simpson Desert expedition. Begin in Birdsville (Qld) and traverse the endless red sand dunes of the Simpson, following the K1 and K2 sand ridges to the NT border. You’ll climb Big Red, drift across parallel sand lines, and end your journey at Ross River Homestead or the East MacDonnell Ranges. This is not five-star luxury – it’s raw, magical, million-star camping under Australia’s clearest skies.
Don’t dream it – do it. This is real outback. Real driving. Real adventure.
The Simpson Desert isn’t a place to defeat; it’s a place to understand. Spanning three states across the heart of Australia, it is a living landscape of colour and quiet — over a thousand parallel red sand dunes stretching beyond the horizon. Here, every sunrise glows deep ochre, every breeze carries the scent of spinifex, and every night unveils a sky dense with stars. Travelling the Simpson is about rhythm, patience, and connection — not about racing from A to B, but slowing down long enough to feel the immensity of Country.
Beneath the endless dunes lies a history written long before tyres touched this sand. This is the traditional land of the Wangkangurru–Yarluyandi people, whose knowledge of waterholes, songlines and desert ecology sustained them through millennia of harsh seasons. Travelling respectfully through their Country means recognising the desert not as empty, but as alive — full of meaning, memory, and movement. Our tours follow the old routes of explorers like Cecil Madigan, yet always acknowledge that these tracks trace far older paths, known and named long before maps existed.
Crossing the Simpson invites you to let go of the rush of the modern world. The hum of your 4WD fades into the wind as you crest each dune to find another sweeping valley of red sand and silence. Camps are simple — a fire, a cup of tea, and the Milky Way arching overhead. It’s in this simplicity that travellers rediscover something profound: the feeling of being small in a vast, beautiful world, and the peace that comes from it.
To experience the Simpson Desert is to glimpse Australia as it truly is — ancient, delicate, and immense. Olsen’s Tours & Training doesn’t aim to conquer the desert; we help guests experience it with respect, curiosity, and care. We travel light, leave no trace, and share the stories that make this landscape sacred. For those seeking solitude, clarity, and reconnection, there’s no greater classroom, no greater cathedral, than the dunes of the Simpson.
Travel respectfully through the traditional lands of the Wangkangurru–Yarluyandi people, the long-time custodians of the eastern Simpson Desert. Their Country spans the iconic red dunes, salt pans, and desert channels you’ll cross on this journey.
Further west, the desert transitions into Lower Southern Arrernte land — country rich with ancient songlines and Dreaming tracks that follow the shifting sands and dry riverbeds.
Olsen’s Tours travels under the necessary desert park and Aboriginal land permits and operates with full respect for these custodians, ensuring your journey contributes to ongoing care and protection of this fragile and sacred landscape.
Begins Alice Springs
Ends Birdsville
2027 Dates: 28 June – 6 July
2028 Dates: TBA
Our Simpson Desert tours have sold out every year since 2004. With rare spots now open for 2027, we recommend securing your vehicle early.
Pricing from $2,995.00 per vehicle.
Iconic Dune Driving: Conquer Big Red (40m high!) and navigate the K1/K2 sand ridges — the heart of the Simpson Desert.
Remote Tracks & Salt Pans: Explore old cattle routes, red dunes, salt pan flats and desert river channels few reach.
Camp Under the Milky Way: With minimal light pollution, nights here offer breathtaking starfields — pure outback magic.
Expert 4WD Instruction: You drive your own vehicle, but we lead the convoy, coach safe desert driving and support you every step.
Deep Cultural Landscape: Travel through lands of the Wangkangurru–Yarluyandi and Warlpiri people, gaining insight into Indigenous outback heritage.
Small-group Focus: We keep numbers low so each guest gets personalised attention and real access to the remote landscapes.
Authentic Leadership: Guided by seasoned instructors who have led expeditions across the Canning Stock Route, Simpson Desert and Hay River Track for over 40 years.
Respectful Access: All necessary Aboriginal Land and National Park permits arranged on your behalf—no shortcuts, no guesswork.
Education on the Move: Every day includes practical 4WD coaching and cultural insights shared around the campfire.
Sustainability First: Small-group convoys, waste-minimisation practices and a leave-no-trace ethic protect the delicate desert ecosystem.
Community Connection: A portion of each permit fee supports Traditional Owner ranger programs maintaining access to the Hay River corridor.
Small-group travel – no crowded convoys
Gain real desert driving skills
Incredible scenery every day
Relaxed, friendly guides with deep local knowledge
Finish with confidence and unforgettable memories
Professional 4WD guide (40 years experience) and support vehicle
Recovery Equipment and expertise- you should bring some additional
All park and Indigenous land permits
Group cooking gear
Safety and comms equipment
Reliable high-clearance 4WD
Tent or swag and sleeping gear
Food and water (15L per person per day recommended)
Fuel for long-range outback travel
Warm layers for cold desert nights
“The highlight of our trip to Australia! Every day was unique, every night around the fire was magical. Thank you to the team – we’ll be back!”
“Driving Big Red and the Hay River was a lifelong dream. Olsen’s made it stress-free, fun and totally unforgettable.”
From AUD $3,085.00 per vehicle (2 people sharing)
Additional occupants pricing available
Travel insurance strongly recommended
Book per vehicle. Secure online payment via Rezdy. Contact us if you’d like to customise the trip or book as a group.
