Madigan Line Simpson Desert Crossing

[buxton]

Hi all,

Havent posted a thread for ages but need some advice! Am in the planning stages of doing a Simpson Madigan line trip next year around June or July. Appreciate it's full on, difficult, new to be ultra self sufficient. Will be taking a current 110 and a current 130, plus a few other cars. Has anyone done it/have some tips/information. I'd appreciate any words of wisdom.

Cheers

[PTC]

I'll keep an eye on this thread. I bought my 130 with the Simpson desert in mind. Doing a East to West crossing at the start of August next year. The 130 is a lot better option and required less fuel than my old GQ Patrol.

The Vic Scout 4x4 Service Unit who i am going with completed it in the opposite direction last year. Though one of the cars blew up at the start. So doing it again so they can complete it.

I'll update you with any information we work out for the trip when it comes through.

[newhue]

Myself and 4 other Defenders did it this year. Your top speed will be 10 to 15km p/h for most of it. The track can get tricky on the way out to marker 6 through the Aboriginal land. There is a new track that runs Est Wst along the boundary of Aboriginal land Nth of Camp 2. From the eastern tip where it touches the Colson Track is where it takes off to camp 6.
The track that goes down to the fine crossing sth est of camp 2 still exist, but there a few roads to make it confusing leaving the twins. Trust your GPS, and map, but don't get frazzled when the GPS doesn't put you smack on the dot. But do question it. We found some were spot on, others out by 300 or 1200 meters. We used paper maps, guid book, gps, compass, and our own ideas. It took all to be comfortable with where we were 95% of the time up to camp 7. GPS's and maps vary a fair bit in quality and accuracy. I wont tell you how to bag camp 1, but if you do then it does fill you with a bit of confidence for the rest of the journey.

Honestly it's nothing more than a desert crossing. The same applies to all crossings. Car preparation is paramount and don't skimp. Non of us popped a tyre or had any issues. We all took the 10K starting price for the Birdsville recovery truck seriously. It is unlikely a you could tow your way out of trouble. We had a total of 8 kids under 8 yahooing around the place so we needed to be on our game. We also took a sat phone, a fair few parts that interchange between the various Defenders, and specific parts for specific models. Water, we worked on 15lt a day 2 adults, 2 kids.. Other did it a bit less but had one child.

We all took 230-240 litres incase the Eastern side of the crossing got boggy with unforeseen rain. There are some big detours to be had if it does rain, it's unlikely you will succeed in crossing the clay pans if sodden. In the end we all used about 170lt. It took us 11 days with a rest day in the middle. Camp 8 is nice. 9.30-10am starts, and 3 to 4pm stops. Usually a 1 hour lunch most days. Pick wood up along the way all day. Some camps choices can be very thin on wood, and it can get very cold.

It's a good exercise in all sorts of things the old madigan. Get a copy of his book, Crossing the Dead Heat, it adds a new dimension to the adventure. The stars, the silence, the isolation, and realisation of just where you are some days is awesome. Good on you, go do it.

[Xtreme]

Jason has covered it pretty well. It's six years since I did Madigans but the memories are still quite clear.

We had 2 x 130's, 2 x Disco's and four Defenders. Pay special attention to shocks (dampers), wheel bearings and tyres. We carried three solid tow bars between us so that we could tow anyone out in the case of major mechanical failure - provided wheel bearings were OK. Fortunately they were not needed.

Take your time, especially through the spinifex in the swales. This is where your shocks will get a real workout but the ridges are not a problem and are actually a pleasure to drive on. One morning our maximum speed was 11kph and we only covered 32kms. :o

Plan and prepare well and you will enjoy it.

Where are you located as chat over a drink may be possible and would enable many queries to be addressed? It might be an idea to post your location in your 'User CP' - left hand end of menu bar.

[Bush65]

Getting permission to go to the Madigan camp sites that are on Aboriginal land at the western end is difficult.

Permission is needed if you want to go to camps beyond 17 at the eastern end, in both the QLD national park and on private property.

Most don't go to the ones on aboriginal land and finish at camp 16, which is on the Hay River Track. Still a very good trip and I highly recommend it.

Except for the maze of tracks from the Twins, the Madigan line was well defined when I did it in 2008, and should be even more so now.

It is not difficult from west to east.

We reached the Hay River a day ahead of schedule and decided to use that time to continue to camp 17. We didn't have permission to go into the national park so had to return to the Hay river track and head for the QAA line from there. The dunes between camp 16 and 17 are large and my rubber band known as a 300Tdi couldn't get over them east to west so we had to travel down the swales to find suitable gaps. This is where it became very rough in places with some spinifex moguls more than a metre deep.

This small section took about twice as long when going east to west. I don't think east to west would be so bad between Hay River and the Twins.

[buxton]

Myself and 4 other Defenders did it this year. Your top speed will be 10 to 15km p/h for most of it. The track can get tricky on the way out to marker 6 through the Aboriginal land. There is a new track that runs Est Wst along the boundary of Aboriginal land Nth of Camp 2. From the eastern tip where it touches the Colson Track is where it takes off to camp 6.
The track that goes down to the fine crossing sth est of camp 2 still exist, but there a few roads to make it confusing leaving the twins. Trust your GPS, and map, but don't get frazzled when the GPS doesn't put you smack on the dot. But do question it. We found some were spot on, others out by 300 or 1200 meters. We used paper maps, guid book, gps, compass, and our own ideas. It took all to be comfortable with where we were 95% of the time up to camp 7. GPS's and maps vary a fair bit in quality and accuracy. I wont tell you how to bag camp 1, but if you do then it does fill you with a bit of confidence for the rest of the journey.

Honestly it's nothing more than a desert crossing. The same applies to all crossings. Car preparation is paramount and don't skimp. Non of us popped a tyre or had any issues. We all took the 10K starting price for the Birdsville recovery truck seriously. It is unlikely a you could tow your way out of trouble. We had a total of 8 kids under 8 yahooing around the place so we needed to be on our game. We also took a sat phone, a fair few parts that interchange between the various Defenders, and specific parts for specific models. Water, we worked on 15lt a day 2 adults, 2 kids.. Other did it a bit less but had one child.

We all took 230-240 litres incase the Eastern side of the crossing got boggy with unforeseen rain. There are some big detours to be had if it does rain, it's unlikely you will succeed in crossing the clay pans if sodden. In the end we all used about 170lt. It took us 11 days with a rest day in the middle. Camp 8 is nice. 9.30-10am starts, and 3 to 4pm stops. Usually a 1 hour lunch most days. Pick wood up along the way all day. Some camps choices can be very thin on wood, and it can get very cold.

It's a good exercise in all sorts of things the old madigan. Get a copy of his book, Crossing the Dead Heat, it adds a new dimension to the adventure. The stars, the silence, the isolation, and realisation of just where you are some days is awesome. Good on you, go do it.

Thanks heaps, this is great info. As a matter of interest in terms of set-up, did you up-rate axles, CVs, diffs etc? We're thinking of going down that path.

[buxton]

Thanks for this Roger, I'm in Canterbury, Melbourne so a catch up over a beer might be a bit tricky: Appreciate all your info, this forum never ceases to amaze me with how helpful people are. Cheers,
Patrick

[TwoUp]

We did it this year as well. Well actually we did two crossings. Firstly across the Southern Desert en-route to the Alice, where we met a Red and Yellow Defender from Sydney that had accommodation in the roof? Then returned on the Madigan.

I agree about reading Madigan's book as well.

Some dunes (going West to East) have sharp right hand turns at the bottom, so going E to W would be more difficult. Good camps starting late and finishing early or where you find a good spot (especially in the thick spinifex area). My 130's first trip on 7.50 16s and all was good. Low range hardly used. Must say it weighed 3160kg on departure. Had lots of spares etc but used nil. 200ltr of fuel was heaps, includes a day run up the QAA line just for laughs. Nissan with us had it's fan shatter just prior to the Hay River without just cause (maybe old)?

As lead vehicle I found that no grass and seed went into the front of the radiator, it accumulated from underneath and formed a birds nest. The front remained clean. Just something to check, take the shroud of the radiator and look. I have Ashcrofts Diffs, CVs, etc etc but a 110 ute with me had no upgrades and all went well.

Have a good trip, get your permits/permission and enjoy.


Land Council
Contact Details
Telephone: 08 8951 6211
Facsimile: 08 8953 4345
Address: 27 Stuart Hwy, Alice Springs NT 0870
P.O. Box 3321, Alice Springs NT 0871

Need to contact Adria Downs as well. Easy google.

Cheers,
PeterW

[B.S.F.]

It just so happens that I'm reading the book "Crossing The Dead Heart "at the moment, which I picked up at a second hand book sale a few weeks ago.This map may explain a few things. .W.

[newhue]

Thanks heaps, this is great info. As a matter of interest in terms of set-up, did you up-rate axles, CVs, diffs etc? We're thinking of going down that path.

oooooh I think most of us run upgraded axels and flanges but that is way of just sorting the landy. I got a bit excited and replaced my P38 with a Sals, so we all had Sals. My diif was noisy and LR said that it was normal, but I dind't see it that way. There was a very heavy laden 110 with a P38, and it went fine. I mean it you are thinking about upgrading anyway, then it wouldn't hurt. But if it's not on your agenda then just check your axels and flanges before hand, if they aren't twisted than I'm sure they will do the job.

I did the crossing in low 3 mostly. 33" BFG Km2's at 15 and 18psi, GVM 3.5T. There is no need to aggressively attack any dune on the madigan, well W to E anyway. I found low 3 a good torque ratio that suited the speed of travel. I could crawl in that gear too if I needed too. If L3 didn't do the job, I putted over the dune top in L2.

We headed west via the WAA line, and after a stint in Alice made our way to Old Andado for a night, before heading east. As TwoUp suggested we had no concerns with grass seeds. But we did have a grass fire from the use of our billy. Be mindful of wind and how dry grass out there lights and burns extremely fast. Make sure you can reach a fire extinguisher fast or you might make the news.

[newhue]

It just so happens that I'm reading the book "Crossing The Dead Heart "at the moment, which I picked up at a second hand book sale a few weeks ago.This map may explain a few things. .W.

It's not a bad read if you like that stuff isn't it.
Cecil and his party certainly were brave adventurous souls. We regularly thought of their accomplishments, and tried to imagine the chain of Camels, tents, and the gear they had. Hard to describe camping in the same spot of someone so great. Quite a contrast from the air-conditioned, modern 4x4 with music, fridges, water tanks and so on. No matter how adventurous we thought we were, we had nothing really.

[inside]

As a matter of interest in terms of set-up, did you up-rate axles, CVs, diffs etc? We're thinking of going down that path.
As Jason said most of us had upgraded our axles and flanges as the weaknesses are well known. Most of us had lockers too but the desert doesn't require them so I wouldn't worry if you don't. A standard Defender that is mechanically A1 is the best bet even if some parts aren't upgraded.

Most important is weight as doing the Madigan requires a lot of fuel, water and food. You need to go into it assuming no one is going to come get you and if your vehicle breaks, well depending how much it is worth and where it happens, you may just be better off leaving it there. A standard Defender has a 1 tonne payload but you may have lost 300kgs in accessories already, the Madigan requires 350kg in fuel and water alone so that leaves you 350kg for food, camping gear, another spare wheel and parts. A few family members may take up another 1-200kgs of that too.

So if you think about it you will hit the Madigan overloaded so get good tyres, good shocks and thoroughly inspect every bush, tie rod end and ball joint. Wheel bearings should all be inspected and serviced. It's important that if a gearbox or diff goes that the vehicle is still able to moved.

Also get good shocks, by good I mean KONI, Bilstein or other proven brand. No ABC big bore foam shock simmo special edition shocks.

[buxton]

oooooh I think most of us run upgraded axels and flanges but that is way of just sorting the landy. I got a bit excited and replaced my P38 with a Sals, so we all had Sals. My diif was noisy and LR said that it was normal, but I dind't see it that way. There was a very heavy laden 110 with a P38, and it went fine. I mean it you are thinking about upgrading anyway, then it wouldn't hurt. But if it's not on your agenda then just check your axels and flanges before hand, if they aren't twisted than I'm sure they will do the job.

I did the crossing in low 3 mostly. 33" BFG Km2's at 15 and 18psi, GVM 3.5T. There is no need to aggressively attack any dune on the madigan, well W to E anyway. I found low 3 a good torque ratio that suited the speed of travel. I could crawl in that gear too if I needed too. If L3 didn't do the job, I putted over the dune top in L2.

We headed west via the WAA line, and after a stint in Alice made our way to Old Andado for a night, before heading east. As TwoUp suggested we had no concerns with grass seeds. But we did have a grass fire from the use of our billy. Be mindful of wind and how dry grass out there lights and burns extremely fast. Make sure you can reach a fire extinguisher fast or you might make the news.

Thanks Jason, this is great.

[Bushie]

Madigan was one of the best trips I think I've ever done, as has been said it's not one to take lightly, and preparation needs to be thorough.

We took 13 days from Old Andado via the pivot and included camps 17 to 22 (23 and 24 on Adria Downs we couldn't get permission from the manager, as you pass close to the homestead). Don't think that you won't get sprung if you don't seek permission, we encountered Qld NP between 18 and 19 but all was OK as we had permission to be there.

Check out the link in my sig


Martyn

[Samblers]

Your blog + pics of the trip are great Martyn... awesome stuff

[buxton]

Madigan was one of the best trips I think I've ever done, as has been said it's not one to take lightly, and preparation needs to be thorough.

We took 13 days from Old Andado via the pivot and included camps 17 to 22 (23 and 24 on Adria Downs we couldn't get permission from the manager, as you pass close to the homestead). Don't think that you won't get sprung if you don't seek permission, we encountered Qld NP between 18 and 19 but all was OK as we had permission to be there.

Check out the link in my sig


Martyn

Martyn, I just spent a very enjoyable hour reading through your amazing report. Thanks, as many have said a sensational effort, and wonderful photography as well. Many thanks,

[numpty]

Planning is important as others have said. Jason has summed it up well.

On our crossing in 2008 we had 4 Defenders (including Bushie) 2 x 200 Tdi, 1 x 300 Tdi and my Td5. We included a trip out to Geosurveys Hill as well. I had the standard General Grabbers and apart from staking one, we didn't have many tyre problems. My vehicle was standard then too, including OE shocks. My traction control ceased operation sometime during the crossing and was reset by the Land Rover Techs in Birdsville a week or so later.

That's a story in itself.

I agree with Bushie, probably the best trip I've done. Permission for the Qld section is nigh on impossible to get these days I believe.

Heading out in that general direction again next year for some exploring.