Anyone Interested in a Madigan Crossing ?

Which way are you going, Steve?

I'd be interested but already committed to another journey.

Enjoy,

Bob

Very tempted to join you.

Keen to know more info ie which way N/S or S/N and how long you envisage taking to do it in as I am not keen to set land speed records.

Cheers Kev

G'day Bob and Kev.

Thank you for the replies.

This is going to start out sounding like I haven't given it much thought because my answer to which direction I'm thinking of going at the moment is, “ I'm flexible”. The fact is I have been getting as much info as I can find on traveling the Madigan Line and it can be confusing. I read an excellent trip report from 2012 that told of navigating from waypoint to waypoint by gps as there was no track evident in most places and it took nine days to another one from last year that did it solo and was underwhelmed by how easy it was and did it in five days.

I've got in touch with two guys that have done the trip in the last few years. The first met up with two other 4WD’s through a forum and said they wanted to travel a lot faster than he did so he let them go after the third day and traveled solo. He still only took six days. The second fella always traveled solo and said the track was fairly easy compared to the French line but he stressed the point that he was very prepared for solo travel.

My thoughts at the moment are to start early June at Finke and I certainly won't be racing. I want to enjoy it. I'm allowing 8-10 days but it sounds like it may not take that long. If somebody has there heart set on crossing from the opposite direction then I would have no problem with that.

Cheers
Steve

I'd recommend going from west to east to make it easier to get over the dunes. Many are quite a bit steeper on the eastern side.

These days the track is well defined, you won't have to do any cross county. It is very slow and very bumpy though, especially at the eastern end so take your time and don't carry more gear than you need.

Are you planning on going through Annandale Station to Birdsville or down the Hay River track?

I drove Madigans Line in both directions in June 2017. From Alice Springs to Birdsville and back to Alice took 14 days. The dunes are steeper travelling west. My tyre pressures were 17 psi going east and 13 psi going west. Travelling west some of the dune climbs are much longer and steeper than any on the French Line. I would recommend travelling east to anyone driving Madigans Line for the first time.

I telephoned Adria Downs and spoke to Judy Rayment. She explained that the station’s main concern was retention of their accredited organic status. She emailed some information and permission to cross Adria Downs the next day.

The entry permit from the CLC took 3 weeks.

Be aware the Finke Desert Race is on from 8-11 June 2018. Many spectators drive across the Simpson. Most of the traffic is on the French Line a few days before and after the race.

Enjoy your trip . Madigans is a great drive in any direction.

Cheers,

John