Formerly the station kitchen on the old Mt Dare cattle property, the Mt Dare Hotel was rebuilt anew in 2006 and today stands as the outback’s newest hotel and a welcome oasis on the western edge of the Simpson Desert. Part of the Witjira National Park, Mt Dare Hotel lies just 10 kilometres south of the Northern Territory border and is a great stepping off point to Uluru to the west, Alice Springs to the north, and Birdsville to the east. You’ll need a four wheel drive to get there and when you do, why not stay a night or two in the campgrounds or cabins, indulge in outback hospitality, and stock up on fuel and supplies. From Mt Dare, it’s a Desert Parks Pass and a 70 kilometre trip to the idyllic Dalhousie Springs. Accessible with the right vehicle and the right preparation, the Simpson Desert surprises as a place of extreme contrasts and stark beauty. Seasoned four wheel drivers suggest the best way is from west to east in the direction of the prevailing winds. Kick off at Oodnadatta or Mt Dare and travel via Dalhousie Springs across the desert to Birdsville. Be sure to allow plenty of time – this is a trip not to be rushed.