Retracing Madigan's 1939 Arunta / Simpson Desert Crossing

In 2006 a group of modern day 4WD explorers retraced Dr Cecil Madigans 1939 crossing of the Simpson Desert.

Prior to undertaking this demanding crossing, I read Medigan's popular account of the expedition in a book titled "Crossing The Dead Heart"

The so called "Dead Heart" was the area to the north of Lake Eyre, now known as the Simpson Desert. Cecil Madigan was an explorer, geographer and scientist.  In 1939 he organised an scientific expedition, by camel, across the northern part of the Simpson Desert from Andado Station to Birdsville and then south to Lake Eyre and Marree.

The region was originally known as the Arunta Desert and was renamed after A.A.Simpson, the president of the RGSA and sponsor of Medigan's expedition.  Simpson died shortly after the expedition's return.

The initial chapters are taken up with the search for information, earlier expeditions in the general area, with the introduction of outback iconic characters such as Jack Bejah, the Afghan camelteer that was employed to provide and manage the camels. Tom Kruse, of outback trucking to provides transport with his truck as far as Andado station.

The body of the book is a record of the day to day travel, the scientific activities collecting plant and animal specimens, and the social life of the party.  While not detailed enough or an accurate account to conduct a modern trip by, it is a fascinating document from a time when travel was very much harder.

Here is an accurate and shorten list of key points if you plan to make this crossing.