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“★★★★★ Five star rating. Fantastic, epic! Fid and Haydee were a super team guiding and helping us to complete an incredible traverse across the Simpson. Fid’s knowledge of the desert, tracks, and camp sites is very impressive. Then, there was the fellow travellers-wonderfull people who all made our journey so memorable.
Wow, what an adventure. Thank you to the 4x4 Explore team🙏🙏🙏”
“★★★★★ Five star rating. Did the Madigan line tour in Sept-Oct 2026. The tour was excellent. The tour leader Fid was very knowledgeable and looked after us completely. I wouldn’t hesitate to do another trip with 4x4 Explore.”
“★★★★★ Five star rating. Amazing tour. Fid was awesome. His knowledge and attention made us feel relaxed and confident when tackling some of the challenges. Great experience. Would recommend highly.”
“★★★★★ Five star rating. I have now completed 4 tours with 4x4 Explore. The Madigan Line being the most recent. I can’t thank Fid enough for his professionalism and support during the tour. I have completed all the tours solo. So if you are looking for a safe way to go and do some outback tours - I highly recommend 4x4 Explore. Fid will teach you lots of stuff in a supportive and friendly environment”
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The tour group will link up in Alice Springs by 4:00pm on Day 1. After topping up fuel tanks, you will receive a briefing on the tour before we get to know each other over dinner. We will depart Alice Springs on the morning of Day 2, so if you would like to take the opportunity see some the highlights in and around Alice Spring’s before the tour starts, we suggest arriving an appropriate amount of time earlier.
Heading south out of Alice Springs, we will see some relics of the old Ghan railway, visit galleries of ancient indigenous rock carvings, watch the changing colours as the sun sets on Chambers Pillar, make a small detour to find the geographical centre of Australia, stop at Old Andado Station and learn a bit about Molly Clark, and visit the Mac Clark Conservation Reserve. This reserve is one of only three places in Australia the Acacia peuce (or Waddywood) is found and protects about 1,000 mature trees. From here, we are onto the Madigan Line.
In the narrative of his crossing, Madigan wrote: “There were no high adventures, which are usually due to incompetence or invention, but the spirit of adventure was not lacking. There was enough risk to give colour to the enterprise, and enough variety to keep the glamour of the desert undimmed from day to day.” The same will be true on this tour. We will follow the path set by Madigan’s party as they made their way east to Birdsville. We will cross claypans and hundreds of dunes, we will see a huge variety of birds and lizards as well as signs of dingoes and camels - although seeing them can be more of a challenge. At the end of each day’s travel, we will relax with a cold drink around a campfire. We will enjoy spectacular sunsets and be in awe of the millions of stars we will see with clear night skies so far from any light pollution.
From Madigan’s Camp 15, we will follow the Hay River Track south before turning east again to stay on Madigan’s route through what is now National Park and private property (with approval). After intersecting with the QAA Line we will take on the iconic “Big Red” (Nappanerica). The symbolic eastern edge of the desert and the largest of the Simpson’s dunes at some 40m tall, Big Red is a bucket list challenge for any 4WD enthusiast. The tour will arrive in Birdsville by 6:00pm on Day 9 and conclude with a group dinner at the iconic Birdsville Hotel where we will relive our adventure and farewell new friends. A camp site at the Birdsville Tourist Park on this final night is included in your tour price.
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Payment Options
Bookings made within six weeks of the scheduled tour start date require full payment at the time of booking.
For bookings made more than six weeks before the scheduled tour start date, you may either:
(a) pay the total booking price in full at the time of booking; or
(b) pay a minimum deposit of 30% of the total booking price at the time of booking, with the balance payable in one or more instalments by the due date(s) specified on an invoice we will issue you.
Payment Methods
Payment may be made by bank transfer (BSB and account number or PayID) or by credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or PayPal through our website.
Payment by bank transfer can be arranged by completing an invoice request form or by contacting us.
Cancellations
For a change-of-mind cancellation more than six weeks before departure, choose a 24-month tour credit or a refund less $75. Within six weeks, change-of-mind cancellations are normally non-refundable. Your statutory rights still apply.
Terms of Service
Please read our full Terms of Service before booking.
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Before this tour, why not see one of the hidden gems near Alice Springs with our tour to the little known Finke Gorge National Park. Highlights of the tour include Palm Valley with its red gorges, desert palm trees, cycads and spring-fed pools; and the remote Finke Gorge 4WD track which follows the Finke River bed and its picturesque waterholes.
Having completed this tour, if you would like to see some of the southern Simpson Desert and visit three corner posts before or as part of your journey home, why not book a spot on our Corner Country tour, sometimes scheduled after this one.
Have any questions?
