Western Red Dunes Survey
This shorter trek marks the first ADE survey we’ve conducted in the Northern Territory since 2021, and it will be our only survey on the western side in 2026. Walking amongst the red dunes, our field ecologists will be focusing on the rejuvenation of flora and fauna following the substantial rains of 2025.
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This survey also marks the beginning of our 2026 Scat Collection. This involves collecting and documenting all dog/cat/raptor scats for analysis at a later date to determine the diet of dingos, cats, foxes and larger birds of prey.
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During the trip you walk alongside our team of packcamels accompanied by 5 cameleers who are your crew for the duration of the survey.
Our cameleers are not 'tour guides', they are experienced and seasoned stockmen/women who are specialists in handling and working with camels, and have a wealth of experience in walking the desert and general knowledge of its flora & fauna, and are respectful of our First Nations people who call Munga-Thirri home.​
Walking in this landscape is on firm sand and occasional open areas with scattered gibber. There are some stands of coolabah, though it is the acacias that are most prevalent in this part of the desert. Spinifex is also widespread, and it is in these habitats that we will be concentrating our efforts to document mammal/marsupial density.
If the western Simpson receives good soaking rain in late March/early April, there may be a profusion of yellow flowers such as poached-egg daisy & 'Yellowtop' covering the landscape, and supplying our camels with fresh feed.... however it's not until we actually get out there in April 2026 that we will know the extent of any rainfall and corresponding seasonal conditions.
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May is ideal walking weather in Central Australia and over the course of a 5 to 6 hour walking day you would walk approximately between 8 to 10 kilometres. Our pace of travel is determined by the camels and their ability to negotiate the dunes or other landforms in the landscape. They carry all your personal gear, and all you have to carry is your day pack. We will of course be stopping as required depending on what we see as we walk along.
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This is a very real, very Australian desert experience, and camels are the perfect cross-country vehicle and so we don't follow roads or tracks, and there is no vehicle back-up: we don't need it! Camps are chosen for the availability of camel feed, and we never camp in the same place twice. And in addition, as we are Australia's only scientific organisation that also specialises in remote desert travel, you won't 'bump into' any other groups of trekkers.​
Setting a camera trap at the end of a pitfall line
What's included
4WD transfers to/from Alice Springs to the western Simpson Desert fringe
All camping equipment - swags, stools, tents. You bring your own sleeping bag and eating utensils
All meals, though we do not provide snacks
LOTS of space...
Survey RFDS Medical Chest, First Aid and emergency communications equipment
Crew of 4 to 5 cameleers and 1 ecologist/scientist (perhaps 2) who specialises in desert ecology
Desert Silence!
Trekking with an environmentally aware responsible business
(A detailed Survey Information Guide is sent to you when you book)
What's not included
Pre and post survey airfares and accommodation in Alice Springs. You are responsible for arranging your travel to/from Birdsville and any accommodation. We can help organise this for you
What else is required?
Travel Insurance. You have the option to arrange your own travel insurance, or you can contact us for a quote.
Where are we trekking?
In the northern section of the shaded area of the map in the Simpson Desert, Northern Territory. The Simpson is the world's largest parallel sand ridge desert
