The Ultimate Simpson Desert Travel Guide — Full Review
I've driven the Simpson Desert more than a dozen times, in both directions, in different seasons, with different vehicles. I've done it in an unmodified dual-cab, and I've done it in a purpose-built expedition truck. I know what kills a trip before it starts — and I know what gets people into serious trouble once they're out there.
That's why I wrote The Ultimate Simpson Desert Travel Guide.
Not because there wasn't anything else available — there was — but because most of what existed was either too shallow to be genuinely useful, too generic to apply to the Simpson specifically, or written by someone who'd done the crossing once and decided that qualified them as an expert. The Simpson Desert is unforgiving enough that the difference between good information and average information can have real consequences.
The guide is available as a digital download at simpsondesertguide.com.au — buy it once, it's yours to keep.
Get the Guide →What's in the guide
90+ pages. The full scope of a crossing.
Not just the obvious stuff — the detail that actually matters when you're 200km from the nearest help.
Route Selection
The French Line, Rig Road, WAA Line, Knolls Track, Hay River Track, and Madigan Line are all different animals — different dune heights, different surface conditions, different permit requirements, different levels of remoteness. Picking the wrong one for your vehicle or experience level is one of the most common pre-trip mistakes I see.
Fuel & Water Calculations
Done properly — with actual numbers, not vague advice about "carrying extra." The Simpson will punish anyone who takes a casual approach to either.
Vehicle Preparation & Sand Driving
What actually matters out there — not a generic 4WD checklist. Sand driving technique is covered in enough depth to make a real difference if you haven't spent much time in big dunes.
Recovery, Comms, Permits & Camp Spots
Timing, permits, communications equipment, recovery gear, and where to camp. It's all there.
Who it's for
Anyone who takes remote travel seriously.
Anyone planning a Simpson Desert crossing who wants to go in prepared. Whether it's your first crossing or your fifth, there's enough in this guide to fill gaps you didn't know you had.
It's not written for someone doing a weekend trip to the beach. It's written for people who want the detail.
Stephan Fischer is an accredited 4WD trainer and remote travel specialist with over 500,000 km across Australia's outback. He runs AllOffRoad and publishes 4WD training and expedition content across YouTube, social media, and simpsondesertguide.com.au.