Watti Watti/Koomarinna Southern Mikiri
Watti Watti/Koomarinna Southern Mikiri
11 Day Survey - June 20 > June 30, 1 day 4WD/9 days trekking/1 day 4WD
Survey grade:
Survey price: $7700 DesertSaver price if paid in full by December 16: $7315 ​
This part of the Simpson Desert is characterized by striking white dune country, a landscape markedly different from that found near the South Australia/Queensland border. Here, expansive open areas and claypans dominate, interspersed with sparse vegetation and occasional small salt lakes. Some dunes rise impressively high, featuring large, shifting crests of loose sand.
This expedition marks our first time walking in this unique and remote region of the Simpson Desert.
The objective of this journey is twofold: to search for additional evidence of habitation sites near the mikiri visited during our previous expedition and to conduct a benchmark flora and fauna survey.
The relative proximity to the waterholes of the Warburton River suggests the likelihood of additional habitation areas scattered among these dunes. With the mikiri now established as a central hub for this region, we can begin to explore the surrounding desert to uncover more evidence of past habitation and activity.
As with all our surveys, we will move slowly and methodically through the landscape, carefully documenting what lives in this beautiful and remote region.
In collaboration with the University of New England, we will continue our Scat Collection project, which involves collecting and analysing scats from dingoes, cats, foxes, and raptors. This proven methodology provides valuable insights into the diets of these animals and helps determine what species were recently present in the area. This work is of particular interest to Professor Karl Vernes, who has been researching mammal extinction in the desert.
Karl’s focus includes the desert rat-kangaroo (Ngudlukanta or Caloprymnus campestris), the lesser bilby (Yallara or Macrotis leucura), the greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis), and the plains mouse (Pseudomys australis). The last recorded sightings of these four species in this region date back to 1931, documented by mammalogist Hedley Herbert Finlayson. However, this does not rule out the possibility of isolated, small colonies surviving undetected deep in the desert.
In 2023, we discovered greater bilby activity further north in Queensland in an area previously thought to lack bilby presence, demonstrating the potential for uncovering new evidence in presumed extinct or seldomly visited habitats.
The current status of the desert rat-kangaroo, as detailed in a 2021 published study, highlights the challenges posed by the vastness and inaccessibility of this terrain. This is where our camel teams truly shine. As a slow-moving operation, we are uniquely suited to examine the landscape in detail, noticing and documenting even the smallest signs of life.
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Joining the team will be our resident ornithologist Dr Julian Reid from ANU. Julian has worked on numerous ADE surveys, but this will be his first foray into this part of the desert.
Our walking surveys offer the most effective way to gauge the health of this landscape, and who knows what we might find?
A search for the desert rat-kangaroo or ngudlukanta (Caloprymnus campestris)
in north-eastern South Australia
Karl Vernes, A H , Stephen M. Jackson, Todd F. Elliott, Kelsey Elliott and Steven G. Carr
The desert rat-kangaroo or ‘ngudlukanta’ (Caloprymnus campestris) was once sparsely distributed in the Lake Eyre Basin of north-eastern South Australia and adjacent parts of Queensland, but has not been collected since the 1930s. However, numerous reported sightings, including some recent, provide some hope that it may still be extant. In 2018 and 2019, we searched for evidence of this species at sites where it had been collected in the 1930s, and at places where people have since reported seeing an animal that fits its description. Our survey, which analysed data from more than 6000 camera trap nights, 536 predator scats and 226 km of spotlight transects, was the most extensive field-based search ever undertaken for this animal; but we found no evidence for its continued existence. However, our work did detect other threatened species including a range extension for the kowari (Dasyuroides byrnei), thereby demonstrating the value of surveys like this one. Because of the vastness and inaccessibility of much of the terrain comprising the supposed distribution of C. campestris, we do not see our null result as definitive for this poorly surveyed animal; we instead hope that it provides a starting point for future surveys aimed at resolving its status.
Caloprymnus campestris as drawn by John Gould.
(Image in the public domain).
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More information about this lost & found desert bettong can be seen here at the Australian Museum.
Desert Rat Kangaroo habitat circa 1931. Image: H.H. Finlayson
© Library & Archives NT, NTA2011/0061, Finlayson 2, Images 156-316, Diamantina and Central Australia, 1931_ Item 220.
On this survey, you will walk alongside our team of pack camels, accompanied by four cameleers who will serve as your crew for the duration of the journey. While technically not “tour guides,” our cameleers are, first and foremost, seasoned stockmen and women. They are experts in handling and working with camels, with a wealth of experience navigating the desert and deep knowledge of its flora and fauna. They also hold profound respect for the First Nations people who call this remarkable landscape home.
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Over the course of a 5 to 6 hour walking day (including breaks) you will cover approximately 8 to 10 kilometres. Our pace is set by the camels, as they navigate the dunes and other natural features of the landscape. The camels carry all your personal gear, leaving you with just your daypack and a healthy attitude. Everything else is best left behind!
This is a truly authentic Australian desert experience. Camels are the perfect cross-country vehicle, allowing us to travel far from roads and tracks, with no vehicle back-up. Campsites are selected based on the availability of camel feed, and we never camp in the same place twice.
As Australia’s only trekking company specialising in remote desert travel, you won’t encounter other trekking groups. Unlike the 4WD tracks that can become virtual highways of vehicles in winter, we journey into a silent desert landscape, far removed from the crowds.
All of our treks are active participation experiences. The cameleers will gladly involve you in loading and unloading the camels as much as you’d like to participate, with the level of involvement decided on a day-to-day basis.
Your assistance is also warmly welcomed with various camp chores at the end of the day, such as collecting firewood or helping to shepherd the camels as they graze. These tasks are part of the unique experience and foster a deeper connection to the rhythm of desert life.
What's included
4WD transfers to/from Birdsville to the Simpson Desert
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...
RFDS Medical Chest and emergency communications equipment
Crew of 4 to 5 cameleers
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 trek airfares and accommodation. You are responsible for arranging your travel to/from Birdsville and any accommodation. We can help organise this for you
Please look at this page How To Get To Birdsville
What else is recommended?
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 shaded area of the map below in the Simpson Desert, South Australia and Queensland.
