Simpson Desert celebrations for Nissan Patrol owners
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16th April, 2012
Nissan 4WD owners from around Australia are being invited to a unique
Outback Party in Birdsville in late July this year – the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of the first crossing of the
forbidding Simpson Desert by a motor vehicle.
But like any well-organised party, the number of participants is limited.
More than 200 Nissan vehicles, dating from the 1960s to the soon-to-be released V8-engined next-generation Patrol and
around 600 Nissan enthusiasts, will converge on the iconic Central Australian township over the week-end of 21st-22nd
July for the gathering, which will be the highlight of a week-long re-enactment of the pioneering event of half a century
ago.
Geogologist Reg Sprigg, his wife Griselda and their two young children Marg (then 10) and Doug (aged seven) made their
historic Simpson crossing in their short-wheelbase Nissan Patrol G60 in 1962 as part of Spriggs’ search for oil.
His successful crossing of the remote desert that contains the world’s longest parallel sand dunes took place just 26
years after Captain Ted Colson with a team of camels became the first non-indigenous person to cross the wilderness.
The success of the trip and Sprigg’s later north to south crossing opened up the Simpson to legions of outback
adventurers.
The 50th Anniversary Simpson Desert Crossing in July this year will see Marg and Doug Sprigg retrace their childhood
wheeltracks from west to east driving a similar first-generation Nissan Patrol G60 in company with other Patrol models.
A film of the historic event is planned, while a next-generation V8-engined Nissan Patrol Y62 model will be amongst
the vehicles in the welcoming party in Birdsville.
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For the Nissan enthusiasts present, the arrival of the Spriggs will be the culmination of a week-long party.
Convoys of Nissan owners will depart from numerous locations around Australia in the week leading up to the
culmination of the crossing, arriving and camping in Birdsville by Saturday 21st July.
The arrival in Birdsville of the Spriggs and their small vehicle entourage on the Saturday evening will be the trigger
for the main celebrations, with entertainers performing a memorable Outback concert staged in Birdsville.
The 50th Anniversary Simpson Desert Crossing is a not-for-profit event that is being subsidised by Nissan, with net
proceeds donated to Frontier Services, an organisation established by Royal Flying Doctor Service founder John Flynn 100
years ago to support people living in remote areas of Australia.
Because of limited resources in Birdsville, the Simpson Anniversary event is being limited to the first 200 Nissan
vehicles. Those interested in being part of this once-in-a-lifetime celebration should promptly pre-register their
interest with Nissan Australia at www.patrol50.com.au ahead of the formal opening of registrations.
Costs
There is a charge of $985 per vehicle to participate in the convoy. This will cover essential items such as National
Parks passes, campsite accommodation in Birdsville, vehicle pre-trip safety inspections, inclusion in activities and
trips while in Birdsville, as well as admission into the main celebration event.
Note: Food, fuel costs, all other accommodation and any other travel related expenses will be at the participant's own
expense.
Departure Points
Convoys will depart in various stages, depending on state and location, from nominated Nissan dealerships.
Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory: arrive in Birdsville 17th July, depart
23rd July.
New South Wales, Queensland: arrive in Birdsville on 20th July, depart 26th July.
Dependent upon the State of departure, the expectation is that the round trip will take between 10 and 15 days.
Conditions apply in respect to participation in this event.
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