Madigan Line # 1, Alice Springs N.T to Birdsville Qld

In 1939 Dr Cecil Madigan and his team completed a crossing of the then known Arunta Desert by camel. The deserts name “Simpson” was officially named after the sponsor of the trip Mr. Simpson of Adelaide well after Dr. Madigan returned. 

Dr Madigan was not the first European man across the desert, Mr. Ted Colson had that honour. On 27 May 1936 he set off from Mount Etingamba 53 miles north of Bloods Creek on camel, with only one other companion Mr. Peter Ains and five camels. They reached Birdsville on the 11th of June 1936 and immediately returned crossing back-to-back; he was not sponsored or as well-equipped in his crossing as was Dr. Madigan.  

The first motorised crossing was made in September of 1962 by Reg Sprigg and family. These days there are more formed tracks for us to follow than what Reg endured as they bush bashed all the way from Andado to Birdsville in a mere twelve days. 

Spend some time in the Red Centre exploring the sights at your Leisure before the tour begins. The Madigan Line is a spectacular rack across the North Simpson Desert.  We will start the tour in Alice Springs and travel on the Old South Rd to Maryvale before heading into Chambers Pillar where we will camp for the night. Continuing to travel south following the Old Ghan Railway Line to Budooma, Engoordina, Mt Squire Sidings we will arrive at Fink then head out to Lambert’s centre of Australia. We will travel down to Mt Dare Hotel to top up our tanks with fuel before heading up Binns track to visit the Old Andado Homestead of Molly Clark prior to the start of our desert crossing. We are now following Dr. Cecil Madigan’s camps as we pass the Twin’s and onto the Colson Track up to camp five. From camp five we are heading towards the Hay River Track and camps fifteen and sixteen, Madigan’s blaze tree. We continue on through Adria Downs where we will see some really special country along with the ruins of Annadale homestead before arriving on the QAA Line. We then head to “Big Red” the largest of all the sand dunes in the Simpson Desert. You can have some fun and create some lifelong memories on this dune. The Birdsville pub then beckons for a celebratory drink after our desert Adventure together.

Fuel: Diesel and Petrol is available at Alice Springs, Maryvale, Mt Dare and Birdsville. Carry enough fuel for 900 k’s of desert travel. Atagalong Tours or its Operators do not carry spare fuel. Please do your fuel calculations carefully.

Towing

I do not recommend towing on this track.