Hi Graham …. Here is a small snapshot of my 50 years of association with the largest parallel sand dune desert in the world, “The Mighty Simpson”. I crossed that first sand hill on the western edge of the desert just as you have done in this video, but back in about 1975. I remember I was also full of excitement at tackling the unknown terrain which lay ahead plus there is always that added dose of adrenalin which comes with any solo vehicle crossing of remote areas. However a challenge which would well and truly surpass that moment came in 1985 when at the age of 51 I landed by light aircraft on a clay pan nearby and then took off pulling a two wheel cart loaded with supplies and headed east - solo - no backup vehicles, destination Birdsville 400kms away. At about the half way mark using rods that formed part of the structural strength of my cart, I drilled down about 12ft and located enough water to replenish my supply which was by then down to one last drink. It could be said I was desperate at that stage and starting to feel the effects of forced water rationing. About 50kms further on I abandoned my cart on top of a high sand hill and took off into a cool moonlit night by compass for Birdsville which I finally reached after about three weeks of desert travel. Sorry, I digress from the main thrust of this video, that of reaching the marker at the Geographic Centre of the Simpson Desert and trust that at the age of 86 you will cut me a little slack if I tend to wander. Tracks and the gentle westerly slope of the dunes, although at times rather bumpy, presented you with a relatively easy challenge as you state until you reached a point where you had to deviate to the west for about 5km to reach the Geo/Centre thus forcing you to confront the steep easterly face of the dunes. Your dramatic commentary and visuals highlighting the numerous failed attempts by all is testimony to the fact that this is not a challenge to be taken lightly, even with so many vehicles available to give assistance. I have an admission to make. After some seventy/eighty desert crossings by vehicle from all different directions, walking across it twice solo - west to east and north to south without a backup vehicle - and having ridden camels over it, I have never actually visited the site of the Geo Centre now marked officially by the tower and other paraphernalia. It was back in 1977 when at a point on the Eyre Creek 60kms north of the SA border (Dickerrie Crossing), I managed to ford the then flooded creek. I was on a mission to tackle what was thought to be impossible back then - a trackless solo vehicle crossing of the Simpson Desert east to west while climbing the steep face of some 1200 odd sand dunes and traversing some 350kms of untouched wilderness. I was driving the baby Suzuki 4x4 LJ50 soft top heading due west by compass (no GPS then) and it wasn’t more than a few hours after departure that I fully realised the enormity of the task I had set myself. I don’t wish to bore you with the day to day challenges as I am sure although your experience was limited to about 5kms you would be well able to guess. Suffice to say there were many spectacular failures, multiple attempts and frightening situations with the vehicle rocking gently ready to roll back to the bottom and endless days consisting of never ending battles against a formidable enemy to be fought and won. I passed a few kilometres to the south of the Geo Centre, not marked at that time, and early on day six I encountered my first sign of man's intrusion into this unique area. Nestled under a bush was a rusty heap of tin cans and then a few hundred metres further on I finally reached the Colson Track. At the end of day seven after some 350kms I finally exited the desert having now proven that an east to west crossing is indeed possible. Thank you for the video - your camera and drone work is excellent and I look forward to your next desert trip as through them I am able to live my past experiences throughout this great country of ours.

I would love to see them do a special where they come here to America for a few episodes. Maybe a day in the Rockies, day in New Mexico, a couple days in Alaska with a great American off-road crew. Then the Americans go back to Australia with them and film 3, 4, 5 episodes in Australia. I have never seen an episode of this show I didn't really like.

Absolutly loving it.....but need to say there is no 4wd action without SHAUNO..

Just watched this again. Great to see a totally different perspective of off roading. And no camper trailer!

I always feel a little bad that we don't get to see more of the camera guys, do you guys have a video, behind the scenes like about how the camera crew keeps up and sets up their equipment?

Well done 4WD Action. You've shown a piece of Australia most of us will never experience. Thank you.

4:20 The longest Seismic (shot) line I worked back in the 70s was 498 km long. It went from just North of Barcaldine to the dunes West of Diamantina Lakes if I recall correctly. Some of the country we went through in those days was just unbelievably stunning.

Thanks for another episode boys, its always appreciated. You guys really need to get a netflix style service going so people can get all the episodes.

Great episode but I’m missing Chef Shauno lol

FINALLY Graham’s gu on 4wd action

Stuck here in the flatlands of Germany with my trusty old 4-Runner from California,, no ocean in sight... I can't thank you giys enough!! Fking awesome, keep up the great work!

I love your regular episodes on the well-traveled tracks, but this was something special. An epic trek in the deepest outback. Well done.

deff the best vid so far!!! love this type of journey, not the usual mud and guts we normally see

Sitting down with a cold beer next to the pool watching 4WD ACTION, not bad. 👍👍😂

Another great happy hour of my Friday

Hey Graham, Just wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying all of your videos. I just discovered your channel about a month ago being home on disability with a herniated disc in my back! Needless to say I can’t go camping or four wheeling so I am getting my fix watching guys!. The amount of varied terrain that you guys have in your country is awe inspiring! Keep up the amazing work! I look Forward to every video! Greetings from California.

OMG it looked like you were all trying to drive over a water bed the entire time. Totally Epic, thank you everyone.

I love that no only do I get some awesome 4by'ing, but we get to see some of the most beautiful country out there AND learn about it as well! Thanks guys!

Well done! Thank you for taking us with you!

My fav channel on youtube. Hello from the southern USA! keep up the awesome content!

That was one mighty trip Well done Hema And Map Patrol great work u guys do an awsome job doing all the mapping out 😎

4wd action have made it to trending #13 , keep it up lads !!!!!

What an adventure, what an expedition. That was an epic film. One Life, One Search, Shane

What a awesome interesting video.Your commentary and all involved comments along the way made it wonderfull viewing.Proves not a trip for dreamers and novices. Thanks again guys

"don't try this at home type of track" 😂yeah because we all got a Simpson dessert in my back yard

loved it.. is good to change the usual format and team from time to time...great adventure! and great GU Patrol.

Having done the simmo last year - this footage does it justice. Great videos team! Keep up the good work.

Awesome timing, planning my trip across now for a trip midyear. Legend!

4WD Action, thank you very much for the free episode. I'm just curious, I've been hearing that Australia is going through some really bad heatwave, hope you guys are keeping cool down there, greetings from across the Indian Ocean, Nairobi Kenya.

Fantastic video, sat eating pizza glued to my comp screen from start to finish........thanks guys!!!

Competence, preparation, and big brass ones. Yep. Your episodes are getting better and better, Graham. Well done from Seattle.

Great episode "GOD WE LIIVE IN A BLOODY GREAT COUNTRY" can you feel the serenity!!

thank god its friday.. getting harder to find 4x4 vids i havent already seen.. ty 4wdaction.

One of the best episodes yet, much better than mud bashing followed by broken axles or cvs

awesome video...mate... absolutely loved it every minute of it

What an awesome video thank you so much for sharing this with us keep up the great work.

in my opinion best episode of 4wd action

Great trip. Miss Shauno. Absolutely to much fun.

Good to see Graham back in the GU, but where’s Shauno??

That mea was a feast and the presentation, well it beats Shaun's meals visually! Graham with that awesome dune action!

Love it! Always awesome stuff!

That's rad...The Nissan is back...So good to see it again...Need to see more of it...👌🍻...

That was tops, that last sunset on their faces, red to the West and purple to the east. Lots of memories like a tribal man standing on a ridge in the Gibson desert looking down at us one leg up leaning on his spear. I often wondered what he was thinking. 50 years, all seems so very long ago.

Awesome work Graham and team. Cheers

Lots of gidgee (sharpens chainsaw) around for fire wood (resharpening chainsaw) which is great for camp fire cooking... It's just hard as an old boot!

I am soooo addicted to this show, i hope i can come down there for some 4WD Action.

There is a visitors book in the centre of the desert?! Amazing! Would love to read some of those entries :)

Just about to sleep its after midnight here in DUBAI UAE n suddenly the notification came up 4WD posts something n just had enjoyed it to f fullest leader its hek of d drive bro keep it up

gram ive watched all your shows love it. amazing

Home sick from work today...this definitely makes the crappy day a bit better.

Great! So well filmed and narrated.

EcoMuse. Modern day Malcolm Douglas. You're fantastic to watch Graham. All the best mate.

Said it Before and I will Say it again!! Best 4 wheel Drive Show on EARTH !!!!!! Love It Guys!!! Thanks... :-) :-) :-)

i rember back in the day when roothy was on the show

Wow - What a Great Adventure - Thanks 4WD Action

hell yea i love it !!!!!!!! Graham dose such a great job i'm speechless it is so good Also love watching his own channel

Love your videos and this one was different for sure. I couldn’t help but notice that you often didn’t have your lockers on. Was there a reason? Was that to take it easy on the axels? Epic Adventure thank you for the experience of getting to the middle of the desert!!!

Made my Friday cheers legends

Graham when you guy's are out on the trail you defiantly eat well. I'm jealous of some of those meals.

just got home. thanks for the upload. :)

Extremely cool episode, the remoteness, I wish I was Australian !

Awesome trip guys. Need to post videos/pics of the night sky out there though! I imagine it would be amazing

Did the Geo Centre in 2016 great fun and no flat tyres on my vehicle and only 4 on the whole convoy of 5 vehicles.

that was very very interesting indeed .... what a mission .... thumbs up guys ... luv the bloopers lol

Epic journey graham, would be an amazing trip.

The camaraderie amongst the fellas is amazing...

One of those bucketlist trips I need to get organised. some techniques with the cameras I need strive four in my videos.

Nice video once again. Thanks!

Amazing guys, absolutely amazing!

Having spent time in the tamani desert this brings back many memories, awesome to watch. The guys doing the shot runs would destroy the cruisers in months from brand new.

I'd love to know more about the VW hubcaps on top of the central marker pole 47:54 - Probably a Kombi made it out there first! LOL

Cheers Graham. As always a well informed video.

Oh yeah, tell Shauno the same! Love all the vids!

best video yet, cheers

Great video guys!

Graham shouldn't be worried my great uncle was the person who found the geo centre of Australia in a convoy of 6 old land rovers without any shot lines to follow just a hand drawn map and a not pad

Great vid!!!

Awesome video, Loved it. Have to go Simo

Good drive guys. I know of some very challenging 4wd dracks near we jasper nsw

Looks absolutely amazing, would love to go here and have it on my channel

This is a great channel guys!!

ZUKI'S For Life !! Much Respect. !! Guys !! Please take the Zuki' out on a another Adventure !! Zuki's are the best !!!!

Yabbadabbadoo, a vid with the Patrol ute, Graham its what we have all been waiting for!!!!!!

Very nice I love your videos

WOW! Just Wow! You guys rock! From Colorado Springs, CO US!

Love to see the GU it's looking great!

Amazing as always!......but I missed Shaun and Jacko:P

That was awesome...... hope hema have the trip on a map so my kids can see it too

Awesome vid guys......4wd Action should come drive our dunes here in Namibia :)

Great episode!

From this channel alone I have learned so much and can't wait to get my first cruiser! Thanks you guys!

Shauno might have to lift his game lookin at those meals. Another epic trip

An episode about the camera work etc. would be great. The closest I have ever gotten to where they went is Leigh Creek.

What an episode!!!!!! Watched it twice...

Just in time for Australia Day. Nice one.

Good Video Mate

Just when you think you've seen it all; some bloke pulls a whole BBQ out of the back of his rig in the middle of the Simmo haha 👍

Ive been Impatiently waiting to see Graham's GU on the show 😄

thats a great trip 🙌🌵

Fucking brilliant video, a nice change of pace from the usual episodes.