One man is dead and another is recovering in hospital after their four-wheel-drive broke down near the Simpson Desert in south-western Queensland.

Police say two men left Ethabuka Station on Monday morning in a four-wheel-drive and got bogged about 16 kilometres from the house.

The men were working on a bore near the station.

Ethabuka Station is a property that covers 200,000 hectares in the north-east corner of the Simpson Desert, near Bedourie.

After several failed attempts to free the vehicle, the pair decided to walk back.

Police say they tried to walk back and did not have enough water in temperatures that reached 45 degrees Celsius.

Mauritz Pieterse, 25, collapsed along the way, with his 30-year-old colleague rescued, suffering from extreme dehydration and heat exhaustion.

Police say Mr Pieterse's body was found several kilometres from the station.

The man who survived the ordeal is recovering in Mount Isa hospital.

Police Inspector Paul Biggin says even people who are familiar with the outback can be susceptible to heat stroke and dehydration.

"The second man who was with him was fortunately discovered by the neighbouring property," he said.

"He was taken back to the station and was airlifted out.

"When they were found, they had insufficient water supplies with them and obviously dehydration crept in very quickly."

Ethabuka Station is owned by conservation group Bush Heritage Australia (BHA) and is about 100 kilometres from the Northern Territory border.

Ethabuka Station is a property covering 200,000 hectares in south-west Qld. ( ABC News: Mick Fanning )

Station spokesman David Whitelaw says authorities are still trying to work out what happened.

Mr Whitelaw says Mr Pieterse had been working on the reserve for a year.

"It is something that we treat very seriously - safety is of significant importance," he said.

"The incident itself is subject to a police investigation, so that information is still being worked through.

"Our staff are trained and are provided the necessary equipment to operate out in the field."

Mr Whitelaw says BHA are offering support to Mr Pieterse's family and staff.

"It is a terribly tragic event and it is sad time for everyone that knew Mo," he said.

"We yesterday offered our sympathy to Mo's family and ongoing support.

"We are grieving at the moment and our support and deep sympathy has gone out to the family.

"Mo was a loved member of the Bush Heritage family - he was very passionate and dedicated to his work and we will sorely miss him."

Inspector Biggin says a report will be prepared for the coroner.

He says the tragedy highlights the need to travel in remote areas with enough water and proper communication.

"Police have been in contact with the Work Place Health and Safety managers who look at incidents and deaths on property, so that will certainly be looked at," he said.

"From it it would appear on the circumstances there have been a number of mistakes made and as I said unfortunately one young man has lost his life.

"Obviously with the temperatures that Mount Isa and our district has had, certainly a warning that if you are out and about - regardless of whether you are working or travelling - make sure you stock up on plenty of water and have communications.

"Everyone is suscepitble to those high range temperatures that we have in summer."