Colson Track

Colson Track South Australia–Northern Territory
The Colson Track (blue and white)
General information
Type	Track
Length	336 km (209 mi)
Major junctions
SSE end	Simpson Desert
NNW end	Numery Station
Location(s)
Region	Simpson Desert
Restrictions
Permits	required

The Colson Track is a remote dirt track in Australia running between the Simpson Desert in South Australia and Numery Station in the Northern Territory.^[1] It is named in honour of Ted Colson, the first person of European descent to make a successful crossing of the Simpson Desert on foot.^[2]

Description

The southern terminus of the track is at a junction with the Rig Road in the western Simpson Desert, and the northern terminus is marked by a sign near the boundary of Numery Station. The length of the track is 336km, much of which is in swales between sand dunes. The track is defined only by wheel ruts, but it may disappear with washouts and long grass making navigation difficult. The surface is mostly red sand and may be corrugated. The track should be negotiated by four-wheel drive high clearance vehicles only, and a permit to cross Aboriginal land is required. Additional permits are required for travel across the Simpson Desert.

References

1. Hema, Maps (2007). Australia Road and 4WD Atlas (Map). Eight Mile Plains Queensland: Hema Maps. p. 100. ISBN 978-1-86500-456-3.
2. Madigan, Cecil (2001). Crossing the Dead Heart. Marleston S.A.: J.B.Books. p. 11. ISBN 1-876-622-164.