MADIGAN line in Simpson Desert HARD

Simpson Desert, VIC

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I'm planning to tackle the Madigan line from West to East.  Starting from Mount Dare and heading up to Old Annadoo then join the dots of the various camps as many as we can get permsission for from the Aborignals and Graziers.   This is tough country so an absolute must to have a good car and experienced driver.  I have crossed the Simpson 4 times, done the Cape, the Canning,  Anne Bedell, the Connnie Sue, Kimberlys, High Country, Tassie, even Googs track.  The Madigan line is one of my last bucket list tracks that I must do.  My Ussual 4wd travelling buddies are not available in 2015 to tackle this with me, and only a fool would tackle it alone.  Plus I'm absolutly hopeless at mechanical stuff, my normal travelling buddies cover that base, I'm normally the navigator and organiser, ie getting the permits and doing the research, so I'm keen to team up with someone (or more), who have good hands on skills.  From my research of the Madigan, some parties have crossed it without a single flat tire, and others have reported 6 or more flats.  Maybe it was down to poor quality tires,  maybe just bad luck, who knows.  My tires are good and I plan to have a minimum of two spares, but maybe 4 spares if my tires are not interchangable with others on the trip.  I have five 4wds but I'm probably going to take my V8 diesel 76 series Land cruiser on this trip. 

Requirement

  • Recovery Gear

  • () I am first-aid qualified I have mechanic skills

    GOING
    Driver + 1 Adult
    - No 4WD Details-

    • Dave (disco) Trip Leader - Level 1 (Completed over 3 trips)


      I am Interested / In Waiting List
      Land Rover Discovery 2 (2003 Discovery 2)
      • 33" Tyres, 4" Lifted
      • Front & Rear Locker
      • Winch

    • Gary (poppyg)


      I am Interested / In Waiting List
      4.5V8 diesel Landcruiser (2015 VDJ79R)
      • 33" Tyres, 2" Lifted
      • Front & Rear Locker
      • Winch

    • Antony (Peloza79) Trip Leader - Level 5 (Completed over 43 trips) Premium Member


      I am Interested / In Waiting List
      Vdj79 landcruiser (2013 Landcruiser)
      • 33" Tyres, 2" Lifted
      • Front & Rear Locker
      • Winch

    Dave (disco)
    Gday Richard,

    I was planning on doing this exact trip around July. I might be able to change it to May although I wonder if it is still a little wet then? Lets talk about this over the next few weeks and see when others want to do it. I have my Disco 4X4 which you can see is able enough and my son Joel has a Patrol ute which is extreme setup. Would be good to see if any others are able to do this trip.

    Regards
    Dave
    23 Dec 2014
    Trip Leader Richard Downing (downingr)
    Hi Dave

    All my other trips to the Simmo have been in July/August and that is a great time of year out there. I've never been in May . BUT having said that, there is a commercial tag along going in May 2015, which I was thinking of doing if I couldn't get interest in a private group going. Speaking to the organiser of the commercial trip, they went in May last year with no problems, and they advised that the key issue is crossing the Eyre creek, and if that is in flood, then you take an alternate run down the Hay River track to Poeppels Corner. From there there is a bypass track off the QAA line to get across the Eyre which I took a few years ago when teh Eyre was in Flood. Alternatively, if even that is too high in flood, then head back across the French line to come out down via Mt Dare and Oodnadatta. I'm locked into the mid May time frame, as I'm headed North to Cape York Mid June for 5 weeks to do the Cape again but on a Quad Bike this time. Let me know if you and/or your son plan to come. My father in law who sometimes rides shotgun on my cruiser may take his own Well setup Nissan 3 litre which would have wheel interchangeability with Joels Nissan, so that is always one of the planning considerations.
    24 Dec 2014
    Dave (disco)
    Hi Richard

    I may not be able to do it at that time, will have to see how I go with work, I will let you know
    Good luck with all your trips they all sound great.

    Regards
    Dave
    26 Dec 2014
    Trip Leader Richard Downing (downingr)
    TRIP POSTPONED - Reason: Dates of this trip are being pushed out to second half of July 2016 and will be expanded to be 3-4 weeks. My brothers who normally travel with me want to come as well and hence Ive had to change the dates until when they are available
    29 Dec 2014
    John (JDecay)
    Richard Downing (downingr) wrote: TRIP POSTPONED - Reason: Dates of this trip are being pushed out to second half of July 2016 and will be expanded to be 3-4 weeks. My brothers who normally travel with me want to come as well and hence Ive had to change the dates until when they are available
    Richard,
    Is this trip still on/ If so any further details re dates etc. I did Birdsville to Laverton via Hay River, Palm Valley, Connie Sue and Anne Beadell last year and met a group doing Maddigan, so am interested in filling in another track.
    JDK.
    15 May 2015
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    TRIP COMPLETED

    2 GOING, 3 Interested
    4 adults
    Trip Date
    11-May-2015 (Mon) to 29-May-2015 (Fri)

    Meeting Point
    Melbourne or Maybe Maree or Port August to join enroute
    6:00 AM (Mon, 11-May-2015)