Madigan Line
Overview
Following the route of Dr Cecil T. Madigan’s 1939 scientific expedition, this tour crosses the north Simpson Desert in the Northern Territory. As far as routes across the Simpson Desert go, the Madigan Line is more remote and less travelled than its South Australian counterparts. The Simpson Desert is the fourth largest desert in Australia covering more than 170,000 square kilometres, and the largest parallel dunal desert in the world. Its long parallel dunes can stretch up to 200km roughly north-south with massive crests, valleys (or swales) between them, expansive salt pans, wide open spaces, a surprising variety of flora and fauna, and the most amazing view of the Milky Way once the sun sets. Put simply, the Simpson Desert is stunning by day and night. The Madigan Line provides a truly remote outback 4WD experience, and this tour will let you cross it off your bucket list.
Duration: 9 days, 9 nights
Start: Alice Springs, NT | Finish: Birdsville, QLD
Drivers: Suitable for all levels of off-road driving experience. The outback and desert tracks will challenge experienced off-road drivers. For those new to off-road driving, the advice and tuition provided by our experienced guides will ensure you are progressively prepared to safely tackle even the most difficult sections of the tour.
Vehicles: Vehicles require dual range and all-terrain or mud-terrain tyres. A raised clearance and a snorkel are recommended. You will need to carry enough fuel for 815km range (factor in low range, terrain and whether you intend to tow) as it will be at least 740km between fuel stops.
Camping: All 4x4 Explore tours are suitable for tents, swags, etc. This tour is also suitable for single axle off-road trailers and camper trailers. Caravans are not permitted. Trailers must be built for off-road towing, have suitable clearance and all-terrain tyres.
Travel across the Madigan Line requires a permit from the Central Land Council (CLC) who manage this region of the Northern Territory. The traditional owners have a strong desire for their country to be looked after and respected, and are concerned about the impact of trailers on the Madigan Line. While they currently allow trailers, traditional owners have asked tour operators to do everything possible to limit environmental and track damage due to towing. 4x4 Explore respects this request and will assess trailer suitability for the tour on a case-by-case basis.
Overview
Following the route of Dr Cecil T. Madigan’s 1939 scientific expedition, this tour crosses the north Simpson Desert in the Northern Territory. As far as routes across the Simpson Desert go, the Madigan Line is more remote and less travelled than its South Australian counterparts. The Simpson Desert is the fourth largest desert in Australia covering more than 170,000 square kilometres, and the largest parallel dunal desert in the world. Its long parallel dunes can stretch up to 200km roughly north-south with massive crests, valleys (or swales) between them, expansive salt pans, wide open spaces, a surprising variety of flora and fauna, and the most amazing view of the Milky Way once the sun sets. Put simply, the Simpson Desert is stunning by day and night. The Madigan Line provides a truly remote outback 4WD experience, and this tour will let you cross it off your bucket list.
Duration: 9 days, 9 nights
Start: Alice Springs, NT | Finish: Birdsville, QLD
Drivers: Suitable for all levels of off-road driving experience. The outback and desert tracks will challenge experienced off-road drivers. For those new to off-road driving, the advice and tuition provided by our experienced guides will ensure you are progressively prepared to safely tackle even the most difficult sections of the tour.
Vehicles: Vehicles require dual range and all-terrain or mud-terrain tyres. A raised clearance and a snorkel are recommended. You will need to carry enough fuel for 815km range (factor in low range, terrain and whether you intend to tow) as it will be at least 740km between fuel stops.
Camping: All 4x4 Explore tours are suitable for tents, swags, etc. This tour is also suitable for single axle off-road trailers and camper trailers. Caravans are not permitted. Trailers must be built for off-road towing, have suitable clearance and all-terrain tyres.
Travel across the Madigan Line requires a permit from the Central Land Council (CLC) who manage this region of the Northern Territory. The traditional owners have a strong desire for their country to be looked after and respected, and are concerned about the impact of trailers on the Madigan Line. While they currently allow trailers, traditional owners have asked tour operators to do everything possible to limit environmental and track damage due to towing. 4x4 Explore respects this request and will assess trailer suitability for the tour on a case-by-case basis.
Overview
Following the route of Dr Cecil T. Madigan’s 1939 scientific expedition, this tour crosses the north Simpson Desert in the Northern Territory. As far as routes across the Simpson Desert go, the Madigan Line is more remote and less travelled than its South Australian counterparts. The Simpson Desert is the fourth largest desert in Australia covering more than 170,000 square kilometres, and the largest parallel dunal desert in the world. Its long parallel dunes can stretch up to 200km roughly north-south with massive crests, valleys (or swales) between them, expansive salt pans, wide open spaces, a surprising variety of flora and fauna, and the most amazing view of the Milky Way once the sun sets. Put simply, the Simpson Desert is stunning by day and night. The Madigan Line provides a truly remote outback 4WD experience, and this tour will let you cross it off your bucket list.
Duration: 9 days, 9 nights
Start: Alice Springs, NT | Finish: Birdsville, QLD
Drivers: Suitable for all levels of off-road driving experience. The outback and desert tracks will challenge experienced off-road drivers. For those new to off-road driving, the advice and tuition provided by our experienced guides will ensure you are progressively prepared to safely tackle even the most difficult sections of the tour.
Vehicles: Vehicles require dual range and all-terrain or mud-terrain tyres. A raised clearance and a snorkel are recommended. You will need to carry enough fuel for 815km range (factor in low range, terrain and whether you intend to tow) as it will be at least 740km between fuel stops.
Camping: All 4x4 Explore tours are suitable for tents, swags, etc. This tour is also suitable for single axle off-road trailers and camper trailers. Caravans are not permitted. Trailers must be built for off-road towing, have suitable clearance and all-terrain tyres.
Travel across the Madigan Line requires a permit from the Central Land Council (CLC) who manage this region of the Northern Territory. The traditional owners have a strong desire for their country to be looked after and respected, and are concerned about the impact of trailers on the Madigan Line. While they currently allow trailers, traditional owners have asked tour operators to do everything possible to limit environmental and track damage due to towing. 4x4 Explore respects this request and will assess trailer suitability for the tour on a case-by-case basis.
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After linking up in Alice Springs, we will head south to see some relics of the old Ghan railway, visit galleries of ancient indigenous rock carvings, and watch the changing colours as the sun sets on Chambers Pillar.
We will make a small detour to find the geographical centre of Australia, stop at Old Andado Station and learn a bit about Molly Clark, and visit the Mac Clark Conservation Reserve where the Acacia peuce (or Waddywood) is found.
From here, we are onto the Madigan Line. We will follow the path set by Madigan’s party as they made their way east to Birdsville, crossing claypans and hundreds of dunes.
From Madigan’s Camp 15, we will follow the Hay River Track south before turning east again to stay on Madigan’s route through what is now National Park and private property.
After intersecting with the QAA Line we will take on the iconic “Big Red” sand dune before arriving in Birdsville.
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The tour group will link up in Alice Springs by 4:00pm on Day 1. After topping up fuel tanks, you will receive a briefing on the tour before we get to know each other over dinner. We will depart Alice Springs on the morning of Day 2, so if you would like to take the opportunity see some the highlights in and around Alice Spring’s before the tour starts, we suggest arriving an appropriate amount of time earlier.
Heading south out of Alice Springs, we will see some relics of the old Ghan railway, visit galleries of ancient indigenous rock carvings, watch the changing colours as the sun sets on Chambers Pillar, make a small detour to find the geographical centre of Australia, stop at Old Andado Station and learn a bit about Molly Clark, and visit the Mac Clark Conservation Reserve. This reserve is one of only three places in Australia the Acacia peuce (or Waddywood) is found and protects about 1,000 mature trees. From here, we are onto the Madigan Line.
In the narrative of his crossing, Madigan wrote: “There were no high adventures, which are usually due to incompetence or invention, but the spirit of adventure was not lacking. There was enough risk to give colour to the enterprise, and enough variety to keep the glamour of the desert undimmed from day to day.” The same will be true on this tour. We will follow the path set by Madigan’s party as they made their way east to Birdsville. We will cross claypans and hundreds of dunes, we will see a huge variety of birds and lizards as well as signs of dingoes and camels - although seeing them can be more of a challenge. At the end of each day’s travel, we will relax with a cold drink around a campfire. We will enjoy spectacular sunsets and be in awe of the millions of stars we will see with clear night skies so far from any light pollution.
From Madigan’s Camp 15, we will follow the Hay River Track south before turning east again to stay on Madigan’s route through what is now National Park and private property (with approval). After intersecting with the QAA Line we will take on the iconic “Big Red” (Nappanerica). The symbolic eastern edge of the desert and the largest of the Simpson’s dunes at some 40m tall, Big Red is a bucket list challenge for any 4WD enthusiast. The tour will arrive in Birdsville by 6:00pm on Day 9 and conclude with a group dinner at the iconic Birdsville Hotel where we will relive our adventure and farewell new friends. A camp site at the Birdsville Tourist Park on this final night is included in your tour price.
Before this tour, why not see one of the hidden gems near Alice Springs with our tour to the little known Finke Gorge National Park. Highlights of the tour include Palm Valley with its red gorges, desert palm trees, cycads and spring-fed pools; and the remote Finke Gorge 4WD track which follows the Finke River bed and its picturesque waterholes.
Having completed this tour, if you would like to see some of the southern Simpson Desert and visit three corner posts before or as part of your journey home, why not book a spot on our Corner Country tour scheduled after this one.
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Tue 1 - Wed 9 October 2024: book by 20 August 2024
Thu 3 - Fri 11 April 2025: book by 20 February 2025
Mon 29 September - Tue 7 October 2025: book by 18 August 2025
Bookings
Book and pay online now, or contact us if you wish to pay by bank transfer or arrange to pay a deposit now to reserve your place and the balance six weeks before your tour departs.
You may also contact us to discuss a group booking, to propose alternate tour arrangements if our scheduled tours are not quite what you are after, or to discuss a custom private or corporate tour.
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