In 1977, National Geographic photojournalist Rick Smolan met a young woman named Robyn Davidson in the Australian outback. He became fascinated with her plan to set out from the remote town of Alice Springs near the middle of Australia to trek across 2,700 kilometers of harsh desert of Western Australia to reach the ocean.
Accompanied only by her dog and four camels, Davidson had no other purpose than to reach the ocean and find herself on a journey of self-discovery. Smolan convinced National Geographic to let him accompany her on parts of her journey. Rick’s stark, stunning photographs captured Robyn’s solo journey and eventually became an awe-inspiring National Geographic feature, best-selling memoir and 2013 feature film starring Mia Wasikowska and Adam Driver.
On October 25, 2024, join photojournalist Rick Smolan live as he takes the stage at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Olympia. In “Tracks: Alone Across the Outback,” Rick Smolan presents photos and stories not included in the original article and showcases Davidson’s awe-inspiring journey of grit and determination.
Conquering 1,700 Miles of Australian Outback with Camels and Determination
Smolan says that, “Most of us spend our lives avoiding the things that frighten us. But Robyn went towards things that frightened her. She always kept challenging herself both on this trip and in life itself. She doesn’t see herself as a hero or even brave, she has just always poked the shadows most of us avoid.”
You can watch the feature film “Tracks” at the Washington Center on October 5 in preparation for Smolan’s October 25 appearance, but he promises a fun night either way. “Or you can hear this talk first,” he says, “and it’ll be almost like a coloring book; you’ll fill in the details with the movie afterward. But you definitely want to see the movie!”
Even today, Smolan is amazed by Davidson’s endeavor. “She never explained, even to me, why she did it. It’s like the Mona Lisa, a mystery. This was before GPS or cell phones. She had no backup. Every time I left, I worried I’d never see her again, but I was just a visitor on her journey.”
From Photo Essay to Book to the Silver Screen, ‘Tracks’ is an Award-Winning Gem
Along the way, Davidson faced hardships even worse than the extensive sand and solitude. Her band was attacked by wild camels, and water supplies were often dangerously low. Locating her along the way was difficult for Smolan, who was unfamiliar with the outback’s unforgiving size and scope. Over her nine-month trip, he had only five opportunities to check in and document her progress.
So compelling were her adventures that Davidson’s memoir has sold nearly 2 million copies and been translated into more than 20 languages, says Smolan. They were both even flown back to Australia for the filming of the 2013 motion picture.
“The movie did a pretty good job,” says Smolan. “It was beautifully filmed, and they built a lot of the scenes from my photographs, which was very surreal.” Lighting tones and even clothing from his original images were recreated almost identically to maintain accuracy.
During the Washington Center presentation, Smolan will show clips from the movie and photos from his collection that weren’t used in the original National Geographic spread. He’ll tell about the Aboriginal elder who traveled with Davidson for six weeks and his own fears when she was reported missing by the local rumormongers. Smolan also has plenty of fun – and funny – stories about the animals and life in the wilds.
Travel the World from the Comfort of Home at the Washington Center
This isn’t Smolan’s only exciting global exploit. A #1 New York Times best-selling author with over five million books in print, as well as a Time, Life and National Geographic photojournalist, he’s traveled the world and even been left a child in a near-stranger’s will. “I was so lucky to have gotten hired at age 24 by Time Magazine,” says Smolan. He’s since continued writing and photographing across the globe, given a TED Talk and is CEO of Against All Odds Productions.
Don’t miss out on Rick Smolan’s downtown Olympia visit and get your tickets today. The event starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 25, on the Center’s main stage. You can purchase tickets online, at the Box Office or by calling 360.753.8586. The Box Office is open from noon until 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday or two hours before any ticketed event.
Then, come and be inspired to take that first step into something new. Who knows where you’ll go, the people you’ll meet or the adventures you’ll have along the way? There may even be camels…if you’re lucky.
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