{"id":210,"date":"2017-11-06T10:50:58","date_gmt":"2017-11-06T00:50:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.4wdsupacentre.com.au\/news\/?p=210"},"modified":"2017-11-06T10:57:36","modified_gmt":"2017-11-06T00:57:36","slug":"cape-york-to-the-simmo-via-ozs-most-iconic-outback-pubs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.emgcloud.net\/news\/cape-york-to-the-simmo-via-ozs-most-iconic-outback-pubs\/","title":{"rendered":"CAPE YORK TO THE SIMMO VIA OZ\u2019S MOST ICONIC OUTBACK PUBS!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cape York and the Simpson Desert are two of Australia\u2019s most iconic 4WD destinations, and being asked to choose between the two is as criminal as being forced to pick only one favourite drink. It\u2019s impossible! Which is why we\u2019re going to show you how to combine the best of both worlds in one epic outback adventure.<\/p>\n

Before we go any further you should know that this adventure isn\u2019t for everyone. You won\u2019t find it on Google. You can\u2019t do it in a weekend. And if you\u2019re the sort of shandy sipper that thinks a \u2018wilderness retreat\u2019 counts as goin\u2019 bush – then this definitely isn\u2019t for you. But if 4WDing pulses through your veins, your Adventure Kings Swag<\/a> is always strapped to the and you only get one meaty holiday a year, then this is the best way to see two of OZ\u2019s most iconic 4WD destinations in one epic trek. And if you time your run for the end of August\/start of September, you\u2019ll escape the school holiday rush and make it into Birdsville in time for the iconic Birdsville Races.<\/p>\n

\u201cSEE TWO OF OZ’S MOST ICONIC 4WD DESTINATIONS IN ONE EPIC TREK”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

FROM CAPE YORK<\/h3>\n

We could talk for days about how good the Cape is – but you know that. The best free camp is Mutee Head just south of Loyalty Beach. So once you\u2019ve tackled the Tele\u2019, touched the sign – head back south along the Development Rd until you see the turnoff to your right 4km north of the ferry. About 5km down, the unnamed track forks – with your first camping option to your right and Mutee Head down to your left. The left track down to Mutee Head is extremely soft sand, but trust us, it\u2019s worth the trip. Use your Kwiky Tyre Deflator<\/a> and drop a few more pounds of air out of your tyres before the soft stuff if you need to. Around 16-18psi is ideal.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

FUELLING UP AT MUSGRAVE<\/h3>\n

Dart south across the ferry, past Bramwell and keep going until you get to the Musgrave Roadhouse where you\u2019ll need to top up the tanks. The campsite here is popular and well worth a visit. It\u2019s got full amenities plus basic supplies.
\nOnce you\u2019ve recharged, you\u2019ll head south for a few more kays, then keep an eye on the VMS before taking the right hand turn onto Strathgordon Rd, signposted to Pormpuraaw. This next 170km odd stretch has no amenities, supplies, water or fuel, so make sure you\u2019re well equipped and self-sufficient.<\/p>\n

CROSSING THE MITCHELL RIVER<\/h3>\n

After a while you\u2019ll come to the mighty Mitchell River. Before you ask, yes it\u2019s croc infested and no it\u2019s probably not a good idea to swim in it. But if you\u2019re a keen fisho head upstream from the causeway and flick a soft plastic in any snags or pools you find. Depending on water levels and the time of year, you might just bag a barra.<\/p>\n

You can roll out your swag<\/a> on the southern side of the crossing. It\u2019s pet friendly and the best spots are high up on a rise either side of the southern exit.<\/p>\n

BE \u2018CROCODILE DUNDEE\u2019 FOR A DAY<\/h3>\n

Continuing south you pass through the small town of Normanton – which is home to the famous Purple Pub – Four Ways, Three Rivers and Cloncurry before pulling into McKinlay, home of the famous Walkabout Creek Hotel from Crocodile Dundee. It\u2019s the perfect place to roll out the Big Daddy Deluxe Swag<\/a>, too. And not just because it\u2019s a town with not much more than a pub (and a servo), but because the hotel still looks as it did in the movie, with hordes of memorabilia hanging from the walls. You can even pose for a photo with Mick Dundee\u2019s famous knife if you sweet talk the Publican.<\/p>\n

IF WE DIDN’T CATCH IT WHEN WE DID, WE’D HAVE TWO HUGE GASHES IN THE RADIATOR!”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

QLD\u2019S BEST PUBLICANS<\/h3>\n

Next stop – Yaraka. Once you\u2019re done being Mick Dundee for a day, pack your gear and head south through Kynuna (make sure you grab a sauso roll from the Blue Heeler Hotel – deadset best you\u2019ll find north of Birdsville), Winton, Longreach, and Isisford. Pull up stumps in Yaraka and head straight for the pub. See, the thing we like about Yaraka is that the publicans, Gerry and Chris Gimblett, are Aussie legends. They bought the pub two years ago with plans to double the town\u2019s population and increase tourism. And they\u2019ve done just that. Aside from the unparalleled first-name basis customer service, their meals are as good as grandma\u2019s AND they offer free camping, toilets, hot showers and a pool to travellers, all for a small donation.<\/p>\n

THE RUN TO THE RACES<\/h3>\n

From Yaraka it\u2019s an overnight run through Windorah (there\u2019s a crackin\u2019 camp on the Cooper Creek) to Birdsville. If you time your trip to be in Birdsville for the first weekend in September, you\u2019ll be in town in time for the iconic Birdsville Races. The races transforms the town of 120 to well over 6000, with 13 horse races, live bands at the pub, Brophy\u2019s Boxing tent, Dusty\u2019s famous camel pies, Big Red and the Simpson Desert and so much more on offer – it\u2019ll be a weekend you\u2019ll never forget.<\/p>\n

BIG RED AND BEYOND<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019ve got the time – crossing the Simpson Desert truly is an unforgettable experience. Words will never do it justice; you\u2019ll simple gain a whole new appreciation for our sunburnt country. You\u2019ll have to leave Rover behind for this bit, but the 400 odd kilometre hike across to Dalhousie Springs will see you navigating 1100 sand dunes and take about 3-4 days. If you\u2019re short on time, head out to Poepell\u2019s Corner then on to the French Line. It\u2019s a fairly easy run that time of year. If you\u2019ve got a bit more time up your sleeve and want to amp up your adventure – head south along the K1 line then head west along the Rig Road and WAA line. But be warned. It\u2019s very remote, extremely soft and one heck of an adventure!<\/p>\n

It\u2019s adventures like this that make us proud to be Aussies.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

FACT FILE<\/h3>\n

WHERE:<\/h4>\n

Starting from the northern most point of Australia (Cape York), this 2850km trek heads south through Coen, across the Mitchell River to Normanton, Cloncurry, McKinlay, Longreach, Yaraka and Windorah before heading into Birdsville and onto Big Red.<\/p>\n

CAMPING & AMENITIES:<\/h4>\n

There are way too many to list here, so here\u2019s our pick along this route;<\/p>\n