Tracks: A Woman’s Solo Trek Across 1700 Miles of Australian Outback Character Analysis

Robyn Davidson

Robyn Davidson is the author and protagonist of the book. She is 26 years old when she decides to undertake a solo journey across the Australian desert, even though she has no wilderness experience or… read analysis of Robyn Davidson

Rick

Rick is a young photographer around the same age as Davidson. The two meet in Alice Springs and Rick encourages Davidson to apply for sponsorship from National Geographic. When she succeeds, he becomes… read analysis of Rick

Eddie

Eddie, who sometimes calls himself Mr. Eddie, is an older Aboriginal man who accompanies Davidson through one leg of her journey. Eddie is relaxed and fun-loving, and he seems to Davidson to represent all the… read analysis of Eddie

Kurt

Kurt is an Austrian-born rancher who lives in Alice Springs with his wife, Gladdy. Kurt is skilled at handling camels and agrees to train Davidson and eventually give her camels in exchange for her… read analysis of Kurt

Diggity

Diggity is Davidson’s beloved dog, a small mutt who is unfailingly loyal and loving. She accompanies Davidson throughout her entire journey and is always depicted as well-behaved and unusually intelligent, sometimes leading Davidson home… read analysis of Diggity

Sallay Mahomet

Sallay Mahomet is one of the few camel trainers in Alice Springs. Although he initially refuses to work with Davidson, he eventually agrees to employ her after she flees from Kurt. Sallay is… read analysis of Sallay Mahomet

Gladdy

Gladdy is Kurt’s wife and becomes a close friend of Davidson’s. Although she is terrorized by her cruel husband, she is also a strong and independent woman who becomes an important source of… read analysis of Gladdy

Glendle

Glendle is the white community advisor to the Aboriginal settlement of Pipalyatjara. Davidson and Eddie meet Glendle during their visit to the settlement and he welcomes them warmly, providing a much-needed source of conversation and… read analysis of Glendle

Ada Baxter

Ada Baxter is a vivacious Aboriginal woman who is Davidson’s neighbor in Alice Springs. The two become good friends and Ada often behaves like a mother to Davidson. Their relationship illuminates for Davidson the… read analysis of Ada Baxter

Jenny

Jenny is one of Davidson’s closest friends in Alice Springs. Though little is revealed about her personality, she is repeatedly a source of support for Davidson, helping her prepare for the trip, comforting her… read analysis of Jenny

Toly

Along with Jenny, Toly is Davidson’s other closest friend in Alice Springs. He is an activist for Aboriginal rights and also works as a teacher in Utopia, an Aboriginal cattle station. Davidson describes… read analysis of Toly

Dookie

Dookie is one of Davidson’s young male camels. She acquires him from the ranch that formerly belonged to Kurt. Dookie is described as clownish and affectionate, and Davidson often rides him during the… read analysis of Dookie

Zeleika

Zeleika is Davidson’s young female camel, whom she gets from Sallay Mahomet. Zeleika is spirited and bossy, and she becomes pregnant after running away one night. She gives birth to baby Goliath… read analysis of Zeleika

Bub

Bub is one of Davidson’s young male camels. She acquires him from the ranch that formerly belonged to Kurt. Bub does not like to lead but rather idolizes Dookie, whom he follows… read analysis of Bub

Kate

Kate is an older female camel whom Davidson acquires from Sallay Mahomet. She has been abused previously and hates humans, though Davidson adores her and plans to use her to carry supplies during the… read analysis of Kate

Clivie

Clivie is an eleven-year-old Aboriginal boy whom Davidson meets through Ada Baxter. Although Clivie is kind and intelligent, he has a penchant for stealing things and eventually gets in serious trouble. He is separated… read analysis of Clivie

Peter Muir

Peter Muir is an experienced bushman whom Rick introduces to Davidson near the end of her trip. He offers Davidson and her friends his spare house outside Wiluna as a place to hide out from… read analysis of Peter Muir

Minor Characters

Goliath

Goliath is a baby camel born to Zeleika. Davidson describes him as adorable and spoiled, and he is constantly greedy for his mother’s milk. During the trek, Davidson often ties Goliath up near her camp as a way to keep Zeleika and the other camels from wandering away.

Blue

Blue is a sweet older dog who originally belongs to Gladdy. When Gladdy moves away, she gives Blue to Davidson, who adores him. Not long after, Blue dies after being poisoned and Davidson learns that someone has been poisoning dogs in Alice Springs for years without being caught.

Julie

Julie is a friend of Davidson’s in Alice Springs. She lives with Davidson for a while at Basso’s farm and helps her find her camels when they disappear briefly, shortly before the start of the trek.

Tracks: A Woman’s Solo Trek Across 1700 Miles of Australian Outback Characters