Cost: Now $2500 per Vehicle with Two Occupants.
Difficulty rating: Medium when Dry.
Duration: 8 Days pending track conditions.
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.
Its easy black top driving all the way to Marree where our Adventure begins, take your time and explore on the way.
We travel the Oodnadatta Track from Marree seeing the sights along the way as we head northwards to William Creek, we will stop here for a break before continuing on to Oodnadatta. We refuel at the Pink roadhouse in Oodnadatta before heading up to Dalhousie Springs. Here you can relax, have a swim in the thermal springs, it’s an easy day. From Dalhousie we travel on to Mt Dare Hotel for a break, we also top up our fuel prior to continuing on.
Travelling via Binns Track we will visit Old Andado Homestead on the very edge of the Simpson Desert as we start our desert crossing, following Dr. Cecil Madigan’s camps to the Twin Peaks, Colson Track, and eventually Camp 16 on the Hay River Track. This is a great opportunity to take a picture of Madigan’s Blaze Tree, we continue on travelling through some very special country as we make our way through Adria Downs Station and down onto the QAA line. Once on the QAA Line its east to the “Big Red” sand dune, some memories and fun can be had on the dune before the Birdsville pub beckons for a celebratory drink after our desert adventure together.
Fuel: Diesel and Petrol is available at Marree, Oodnadatta, Mt Dare and Birdsville. Carry enough fuel for 900 k’s of desert travel. Atagalong Tours or its Operators do not carry spare fuel.
I do not recommend towing on this track.
Minimum numbers are required to run this tour.
This is a bush camping tour. Fires, the collection of timber in the park is illegal, we all love a camp fire. Please carry a pack of timber. Fines apply for carrying a chain saw or the collection of firewood in the Park. No supplies are available between Mt Dare and Birdsville.
