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20
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5
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10
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30 Days Prior
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May, June, July, Aug, Sept, Oct
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12+
Overview
Please note that the cost and time frame are calculated from starting in Melbourne. if you are from another state or territory please get in touch with us and we will be happy to give individualised pricing.
2024 XTREME SIMPSON DESERT, MADIGAN LINE AND FRENCH LINE
The Simpson Desert is the 4th largest desert in Australia, and it covers 170,000 square kilometres. Straddling three states: the Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland, a great portion of the Simpson is protected within four national parks (or conservation reserves). The desert consists of 1100 parallel sand dunes that run north-north-west to south-south-east. Some of these dunes are 200 kilometres long, imagine seeing that untouched beauty first-hand!
In 1929 Dr Cecil Madigan undertook a series of aerial reconnaissances of central Australia. In 1939 he continued his exploration with a scientific expedition into the Simpson Desert. He was the first European to successfully cross the desert.
Today it’s a popular, but extremely demanding, desert expedition through the wild and untamed parts of our beautiful outback. It’s an interesting way to see the desert and not as busy as the French Line which allows you to be fully present in nature without much interaction with the real world. It’s a feeling to be experienced firsthand.
The Madigan line is EXTREME offroading best travelled by highly experienced 4WD drivers (like us *wink wink) as it boasts giant sand dunes and challenging paths. But don’t worry, we know what we are doing!
Embark on a “bucket list” journey with us as you follow Cecil Madigan’s expedition across the extremely remote northern fringe of the Simpson Desert. Visiting many of his camp markers along the way, you feel connected to history and begin to understand the journey these men made without any modern luxuries and technology, as you travel their path through the unknown.
Then set out on the French Line, continuing the adventure through this challenging and captivating terrain. The French Line goes from Poeppel Corner all the way through to Dalhousie Springs. Hot springs in the desert? You betchya! An oasis in the middle of nowhere where you can swim in pure hot spring waters and bask in your surroundings.
Keys4Adventure is run by people who love 4-wheel driving, and they made sure that every single ‘t’ is crossed and ‘i’ is dotted when this tour was planned. And we mean everything! We carry full medical kits including a defibrillator, fresh water, generators, satellite phones, shade, sunscreen, toolkits, food, jumpstarters, fly nets, compressors, 4WD recovery gear, EPIRB’s, instantaneous hot water, and the little essentials all packed into 2 of our very own tour vehicles. And just to be certain everyone is safe and happy, we carry double the required amount of every essential item. We also pack cameras ensuring the fun and beauty of the trip gets captured along the way.
As well as carrying fuel, we provide all of your main meals plus bikkies and cuppas for the day, which are beautifully handmade. After making your booking, you will receive a menu so you can choose your own meals and outline any allergies or dietary requirements. All you have to pack is your water and snacks!
Explore remote country and rugged terrain, guided by Keys4Adventure and experience a piece of Australian history in its raw form. Enjoy making new friends and sharing your experiences with your tour group, and take home unforgettable memories. You seriously will NOT forget this holiday!
Included in your package are 4WD driving school lessons, and a digital packet of photographs from the trip that have been professionally edited so you have the precious memories with you for life.
So… what are you waiting for?
Trip Highlights
- Genuine outback driving. And when we say outback, we mean OUT-BACK. Untamed, uninhabited, Australian desert wilderness in all her beauty and ferocity. It is so much fun!
- Visit the historical little town of Innamincka
- Walk in the steps of Australian pioneering history at Burke and Wills' Dig Tree
- Visit the historically significant Burke and Wills' graves
- Drive the Strezlecki track through the untamed desert
- Visit the empty town of Farina. Ruins, a railway, a cemetary, and WWI + WW2 history
- Take in the stunning pink and blue waters of iconic Lake Eyre in all it's colourful glory
- Swimming in the middle of the outback? You betchya! Visit the Dalhousie Hot Springs and enjoy swimming in the middle of nowhere
- Outback nights under the stars. It's a truly humbling experience to see the sky for what it truly is without the lights and sounds of society
- Stand in 3 states where they meet at Poppell's corner
- At 40 metres high, put your 4 wheel-driving skills to the test on the iconic and challenging sand dune known as 'Big Red'
- Once a stock route, now a desolate 4WD track for the adventurous, drive along the famous Birdsville Track
- Venture through the vast collections of Australian travel history at the iconic Birdsville Hotel, Queensland
- The township of Marree offers more Australian pioneer history, and the mysterious 'Marree Man'
- Stand in aother 3 states at Cameron Corner. Why not play some outback golf while you're there!?
- Visit the small historic town of Tibooburra
- Visit the old opal mining town of White Cliffs with it's underground houses
- Experience remote camping and learn to setup and take down camp sites, cook over campfires, and fall asleep to the sounds of uninterrupted nature
