Colson Track

Are these permits for the section north of Camp 5, Malcolm? It’s been closed for some years, so may be quite scratchy.

I’ve done all, or parts of the southern section, south of Camp 5, 3 times since 2017, and don’t recall any extreme scratchy sections. After about 40-50 kms south of Camp 5, the track surface deteriorates on & off, down to around the NE Shotline.
One of our group, in 2021, commented that the track had become rougher, than when he’d done it in 1989.

Probably a case of not setting unrealistic travel times for the track, unless you happen to have Kings or Fox suspension on your vehicle.

Bob

Bob,
It is only open up to the Madigan Camp5. Not any further north unfortunately .... which is I wanted to do.
Thanks for the info on the track, I think I will add and extra day.
FYI, if you didn't know, the permit now for the Madigan between Colson and Hay River tracks is ONLY one-way from West to East

Had cause to do it last year which ended up into the night

The track had become significantly overgrown to the point I couldn't see it a few times and had to do a big circle to pick it back up several times in the dark the first real clearing was over the border in SA before there was anywhere to lay a swag down for the night.

It did appear that someone else had been on the track at some stage but presumably some time before I had to go through.

Cheers

We drove from the south to 50km north of the NT border in 2019.
The wind had blown small ridges of sand across the track at regular intervals.
It was not a pleasant drive.
20 second video..... https://youtu.be/4opToYte0kM
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

We went along it quite a few years ago from Numery Station. Got lost getting out of the homestead area and eventually found our way south. It was tricky finding the track out from Numery's border fence as we ended up at the Hay River going west. We back tracked and found a mallee gate in the fence and were on our way. I think we had one camp between Numerary and the French line. The track was overgrown with small herbage and if you stood 20 metres from it you could not see it.
Nice drive.

I drove the Coulson a few times back in the eighties when I was a supply truck driver on a seismic crew working in the Simpson. Up to Alice and back,6 wheel drive Isuzu truck, great days ??