In 1977, Robyn Davidson trekked across the Australian desert with four camels and a dog, in what would become one of National Geographic's most popular photo essays of all time.
Outback Odyssey —
In 1977, Robyn Davidson trekked across the Australian desert with four camels and a dog, in what would become one of National Geographic's most popular photo essays of all time.
Courtesy EOne Films UK
Now her remarkable journey has been turned into a feature film, called "Tracks," starring Mia Wasikowska (pictured).
Desert woman —
Now her remarkable journey has been turned into a feature film, called "Tracks," starring Mia Wasikowska (pictured).
Courtesy EOne Films UK
The adventure took nine months for the 26-year-old, setting off from Alice Springs and ending at the Indian Ocean, a journey of 2,700 kilometers. "I disappeared, but I've never felt so alive," Davidson told CNN.
Intrepid explorer —
The adventure took nine months for the 26-year-old, setting off from Alice Springs and ending at the Indian Ocean, a journey of 2,700 kilometers. "I disappeared, but I've never felt so alive," Davidson told CNN.
Courtesy EOne Films UK
National Geographic photographer Rick Smolan, played by Adam Driver (pictured), spent three months with Davidson at intermittent points throughout the journey, also becoming her lover. "I felt like I'd been wearing sunglasses my whole life. But when I got to Australia...the light, the color, the vibrancy was like nothing I'd ever seen," Smolan told CNN.
Picture perfect —
National Geographic photographer Rick Smolan, played by Adam Driver (pictured), spent three months with Davidson at intermittent points throughout the journey, also becoming her lover. "I felt like I'd been wearing sunglasses my whole life. But when I got to Australia...the light, the color, the vibrancy was like nothing I'd ever seen," Smolan told CNN.
Courtesy EOne Films UK
Davidson was initially resistant to Smolan, feeling as though she'd "sold out" by having a National Geographic photographer with her. Smolan said he was "smitten" with the "intense and fascinating" woman.
Remote romance —
Davidson was initially resistant to Smolan, feeling as though she'd "sold out" by having a National Geographic photographer with her. Smolan said he was "smitten" with the "intense and fascinating" woman.
Courtesy EOne Films UK
Over three decades later, they remain firm friends, having shared an adventure across one of the most punishing landscapes on Earth. Here they are pictured on the set of "Tracks."
Firm friends —
Over three decades later, they remain firm friends, having shared an adventure across one of the most punishing landscapes on Earth. Here they are pictured on the set of "Tracks."
Courtesy EOne Films UK
Why did Davidson cross these red plains? "Why not," she says. "Maybe for men it's a longing to conquer something. They conquer the mountain, they conquer something in themselves. I never felt that way. For me it was more of a merging into, entering into, becoming part of."
Personal pilgrimage —
Why did Davidson cross these red plains? "Why not," she says. "Maybe for men it's a longing to conquer something. They conquer the mountain, they conquer something in themselves. I never felt that way. For me it was more of a merging into, entering into, becoming part of."
Courtesy EOne Films UK