Title: Visit Simpson Desert: 2026 Travel Guide for Simpson Desert, South Australia | Expedia.com [Hotels in Simpson Desert](https://expedia.com/Simpson-Desert-Hotels.d553248634382956840.Travel-Guide-Hotels)[Vacation Rentals in Simpson Desert](https://expedia.com/Simpson-Desert-Vacation-Rentals.d553248634382956840.Travel-Guide-VacationRentals)[Car Rentals in Simpson Desert](https://expedia.com/Car-Rentals-In-Simpson-Desert.d553248634382956840.Car-Rental-Guide)[Simpson Desert Vacation Packages](https://expedia.com/Simpson-Desert.d553248634382956840.Destination-Travel-Guides) # Simpson Desert ## Travel Guide ![Simpson Desert](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248634382956840/3de0cdcf-a454-49e4-af18-5072321768a2.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Simpson Desert](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248634382956840/8c7deac1-6aa3-465a-8aef-3c6df64993a4.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Simpson Desert](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248634382956840/afcde12d-e832-4e10-925c-421e50607373.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Simpson Desert](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248634382956840/d889de33-2abf-4626-a3e8-860f11dc81b0.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Simpson Desert](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248634382956840/060caa6d-c3c0-43e4-afb0-e495b138a8bf.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ## Visit Simpson Desert Things to do #### Discover the red desert to see huge sand dunes topped with wildflowers, salt-crusted lakes and many different types of reptiles. Drive around the sand dunes of the Simpson Desert in a four-wheel drive. Australia’s driest desert has the world’s longest parallel sand dunes and cracked, white salt lakes. Drive to Dalhousie Springs in South Australia where water from the Great Artesian Basin flows to the surface. If you’re lucky enough to be in the desert after heavy rain, don’t miss the explosion of wildlife and colour that occurs further south around Lake Eyre. Stretching across the borders of Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory, the Simpson Desert is the largest sand dune desert in the world. Discover the great beauty of Australia’s harshest and driest environment. Pink and orange sand dunes come alive with flowering desert plants after rain and the dark of the desert at night makes even the faintest stars visible. Sleep beneath the stars and then wake to a desert dawn. Camping out is one of the highlights of a visit to the Simpson Desert. Go to the South Australian region of the desert, where you can cool off in the clear waters of Dalhousie Springs. See the ruins of the old homestead and workers huts around the springs. The drive from Alice Springs across the desert to Dalhousie Springs is challenging. It takes several days to cross the desert and there are no facilities along the way. Experts recommend visitors bring at least 7 litres (1.85 gallons) of water per person per day. Organise food and petrol supplies in advance and inform a relative or friend when you’ll be back. Don’t forget to pack warm clothes for the chilly desert evenings. All parks within the Simpson Desert are closed in summer from December to March to stop unprepared travellers from driving through the dangerous heat. Vehicles making the trip into the desert require a tall safety flag and a Desert Park Pass. There are several routes to take, so make sure you ask at the Alice Springs Visitor Centre about the best option. If you don’t want to tackle the desert on your own, organise a guided tour from Alice Springs. Many tour operators offer packages from day trips to week-long adventures. - Simpson Desert Hotel Deals - Vacation Rentals in Simpson Desert ![Hotel Grand Chancellor Adelaide](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/20000/10300/10230/8b3d617f_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Hotel Grand Chancellor Adelaide 65 Hindley Street Adelaide SA $90 nightly $99 total Apr 23 - Apr 24 Total with taxes and fees Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Adelaide. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ... 9/10 Wonderful! (1,125 reviews) Dinning had limited menu and Bar seating only the nite i was there Reviewed on Apr 3, 2026 [](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?startDate=4%2F23%2F2026&endDate=4%2F24%2F2026&selected=10230&PinnedHotelID=10230&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=553248634382956840) ![Mayfair Hotel Adelaide](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/10000000/9370000/9360700/9360673/82d3aa85_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Mayfair Hotel Adelaide 45 King William Street Adelaide SA $114 nightly $114 total Apr 26 - Apr 27 Total with taxes and fees Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Adelaide. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ... 9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,008 reviews) Complimentary mini bar is a nice touch. Lovely bathroom and bed. We had no hot water in our shower which was a bit odd. Reviewed on Apr 3, 2026 [](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?startDate=4%2F26%2F2026&endDate=4%2F27%2F2026&selected=9360673&PinnedHotelID=9360673&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=553248634382956840) ![Stamford Plaza Adelaide](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/450000/447800/447800/2ead1b25_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Stamford Plaza Adelaide 150 North Terrace Adelaide SA $100 nightly $110 total Apr 19 - Apr 20 Total with taxes and fees Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Adelaide. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ... 8.2/10 Very Good! (1,053 reviews) Was very convenient to everything. Room was clean - staff were fantastic. Parking convenient and reasonably Prized. Shout out to Samantha on front desk! Helpful and friendly!! Reviewed on Mar 30, 2026 [](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?startDate=4%2F19%2F2026&endDate=4%2F20%2F2026&selected=447800&PinnedHotelID=447800&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=553248634382956840) [See all 5,784 properties in South Australia](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.DestinationExperience&startDate=4%2F5%2F2026&endDate=4%2F6%2F2026®ionId=11195) Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply. ![Quest on Franklin](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/6000000/5950000/5947400/5947371/6d29638b_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Quest on Franklin 74 Franklin Street Adelaide SA Book a stay at this luxury aparthotel in Adelaide. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ... 9.2/10 Wonderful! (723 reviews) Awesome studio apt! Staff was friendly and the room was clean/comfortable! Perfect! Reviewed on Mar 25, 2026 [](https://expedia.com/Adelaide-Hotels-Quest-On-Franklin.h5947371.Hotel-Information) ![Franklin Apartments](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/570000/564500/564485/2c9b24f8_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Franklin Apartments 36 Franklin Street Adelaide SA Stay at this aparthotel in Adelaide. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ... 8.8/10 Excellent! (1,355 reviews) Located near laneway dining and coffee shops. The staff were great and helpful. Clean, safe and I has a washing machine. Great value. Reviewed on Mar 28, 2026 [](https://expedia.com/Adelaide-Hotels-Franklin-Apartments.h564485.Hotel-Information) ![Majestic M Suites](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/63000000/62580000/62576800/62576760/730cb0b4_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Majestic M Suites 202 Tynte Street North Adelaide SA Book a stay at this luxury aparthotel in Adelaide. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ... 9.8/10 Exceptional! (667 reviews) Was a lovely spacious room with a small balcony overlooking the city everything was perfect from check in to check out and having undercover parking at a fair price was awesome will definitely be back but will book the spa suite next time Reviewed on Mar 30, 2026 [](https://expedia.com/Adelaide-Hotels-Majestic-M-Suites.h62576760.Hotel-Information) [See all 5,784 properties in South Australia](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.DestinationExperience®ionId=11195&sort=VACATION_RENTAL) Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply. ## Check Simpson Desert hotel availability [Tonight ](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248634382956840&startDate=2026-04-04&endDate=2026-04-05)[Apr 4 - Apr 5](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248634382956840&startDate=2026-04-04&endDate=2026-04-05) [Tomorrow night ](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248634382956840&startDate=2026-04-05&endDate=2026-04-06)[Apr 5 - Apr 6](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248634382956840&startDate=2026-04-05&endDate=2026-04-06) [Next weekend ](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248634382956840&startDate=4%2F10%2F2026&endDate=4%2F12%2F2026)[Apr 10 - Apr 12](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248634382956840&startDate=4%2F10%2F2026&endDate=4%2F12%2F2026) ### Popular places to visit ![Munga-Thirri--Simpson Desert Regional Reserve](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248634382956840/afcde12d-e832-4e10-925c-421e50607373.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Munga-Thirri--Simpson Desert Regional Reserve You can take time to visit Munga-Thirri--Simpson Desert Regional Reserve during your travels to Simpson Desert. Wander the parks or discover the area's desert landscape. [](https://expedia.com/Munga-Thirri-Simpson-Desert-Regional-Reserve-Simpson-Desert.d623451430877728768.Vacation-Attraction) #### Munga-Thirri--Simpson Desert Conservation Park Explore the great outdoors at Munga-Thirri--Simpson Desert Conservation Park, a lovely green space in Simpson Desert. Wander the parks or discover the area's desert landscape. [](https://expedia.com/Munga-Thirri-Simpson-Desert-Conservation-Park-Simpson-Desert.d623449635163418624.Vacation-Attraction) ## Cities near Simpson Desert ![Birdsville](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/734/95785a56-4ed6-4571-8a25-6b8d845b08fc.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Birdsville - Cities near Simpson Desert - Places of interest [Birdsville](https://expedia.com/Birdsville.dx734)[Alton Downs Station](https://expedia.com/Alton-Downs-Station.dx6198)[Cowarie](https://expedia.com/Cowarie.dx6708)[Clifton Hills Station](https://expedia.com/Clifton-Hills-Station.dx553248634382947590) - [Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre ](https://expedia.com/Kati-Thanda-Lake-Eyre-Lake-Eyre.d553248635936842703.Vacation-Attraction) - [Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park ](https://expedia.com/Kati-Thanda-Lake-Eyre-National-Park-Lake-Eyre.d553248635976468424.Vacation-Attraction) ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/mad-service/footer/bnaBanners/BEX_Footer.jpg) ## Go further with the Expedia app Save even more - get up to 20% on select hotels when you book on the app. Our app deals help you to save on trips so you can travel more and manage it all on the go. Scan the QR code with your device camera and download our app