Travel Local - Simpson Desert

Billy Tea under a Pink Moon: Journeying in the Simpson Desert!

Maybe not everyone’s cup of tea but what an unforgettable experience! Lindsay and I joined Australian Desert Expeditions which partners with leading research institutions to conduct scientific and ecological desert surveys. As well as experiencing the sheer joy of walking the silence of desert places where no roads exist, we were there to collect/document botanical specimens and information on desert wildlife. Our trek, the first of the season, was part of a 3-year program Songlines and Shared Journeys: Knowledge Mapping the Simpson Desert.

It was like walking through a desert painting - the colours changed from palest gold to deep blood-red. The gibber plains over which we also walked, added purple and darkest brown, appearing like dull dark mirrors.

My interest was in discovering what plants grew out there; I identified at least 30 different species. Of great excitement was finding an ancient tree species, Acacia pickardii, a relict population of only 3 small populations in Australia dating back at least 5 million years.  

We rose before the sun, packed our swags, breakfasted and checked overnight traps. The camels were brought in from night grazing and loaded with tons of gear. Our trek had 18 camels, 7 cameleers, scientists and a medic. Fully loaded, we then headed out, stopping hourly throughout the day. Late afternoon we stopped, set up camp and boiled the billy. Each night we watched the sun set, the moon rise and gazed skyward as a brilliant canopy of stars bloomed.

It was a fascinating experience and rather humbling as I felt a thread-like link to Australia’s aboriginal culture and great scientific explorers of the 19th century.

By Heather Wheat