Madigan’s Line

Monday, 8 November 2021 3:25 am


With the sky still throwing us some scattered rain we have an early morning start around 7.30am.


A couple of hours later we arrived at Madigan’s Tree ( Madigan’s Camp 16)









Madigan was an explorer who in 1939
crossed the desert west to east with a team of camels. Then it was part of a scientific expedition, now following his tracks, one of the toughest 4x4 drives in Australia.
























After the tree we turn east towards his Camps 17, 18, and 19 crossing the dunes west to east.












The rain makes the dune crossing easy , and the low light the dunes a bright red








It’s a big country with all day up and down dunes



Towards the end of the day we come across the old Rabbit Proof Fence and we now track due east towards Kuddaree Waterhole.


Our camp is also Madigan’s Camp 20 on Kuddaree Waterhole.

Now completely dry despite the recent rain.






The rain has cleared and now it is hot and humid.

141Kms today.

Camped here:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=-25.14050,138.54405&ll=-25.14050,138.54405&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1



500 meters east of Madigan’s Camp 20 is the remains of the old Kaliduwarry Homestead.











Even less remain than it was in 1939 













Thought we would try some articulation tests.

Just could not get a wheel to lift !!


Need a bigger hole






Today back to Birdsville, via Big Red again.


Refuelled Birdsville:

Total Distance on the 3 tracks: 626 Kms

Gaz Fuel Used 176.3 Lts = 28.11 Lt/100Kms


We did push hard on some dunes as it was fun !

..and we weighted it up to over 6 Tonne

As a comparison the Canter was 21.50Lt/100Kms



Overnight Birdsville then 2 quick days Birdsville to Brisbane.


Each day a long but comfortable 800Kms


Cruising dirt roads at 85-90 KPH

Black Top 95-100Kph

Fuel was acceptable at 17-18Lt/100Kms


1 day later and the area was hit by a significant rain event  and roads closed !