The Hay River Track, Simpson Desert

The Simpson Desert is perhaps the last place on Earth that you would associate with the word ‘river’. Yet there it is … at th northern end lays the Hay River and its revered track. Forget packing the swimwear though, for the ‘river’ just does not flow. In fact, even with heavy and consistent rainfall, the water flow on the surface barely makes a mark on its northward journey. Nope, any water here in this dry bed lays about two metres underground.

We take on the Hay River Track after spending a few days at Birdsville and the Big Red Bash. It was the year of Paul Kelly and Jimmy Barnes, when heavy rain brought the concert into the heart of the town. After a big part, it was time to leave Birdsville behind and travel into the vast Simpson Desert for some serious solitude and unrivalled beauty.