Australia is in the throes of a hot summer, and Birdsville is a road that connects Queensland and South Australia. Queensland police are warning of an alarming new trend, fraught with potential dangers: tourists are walking the 517km Birdville Trail without proper protection or heat protection in the middle of the Simpson Desert.
The road is located on the east side of the Simpson Desert and the average temperature is 40.7oC in January. Visitors need to have suitable vehicles, enough food, water and a rescue plan and should not rely on any rescue services, as there is no phone reception. Normally, the trip takes only two days, but can turn into a week if visitors are not properly prepared or if their vehicle breaks down. The Birdville Police Department has received at least five or six calls after visitors' vehicles have become stuck in mud after rain or broken down.
Birdsville Road has recently been nicknamed the “COVID Highway” due to the influx of motorists between Queensland and South Australia who are avoiding Covid-19 hotspots in New South Wales. It has also become a popular tourist experience for those seeking thrills in the outback.
However, the Birdsville Hotel is benefiting from an increase in bookings. Normally booked once a week, there have been around 80 bookings in the first 10 days of January. This is great news for the hotel, but they are warning visitors to do their research and be prepared before driving on the Birdsville Road.
