Corner Country Exploration
Burke and Wills Expedition
Follow modern day explorers, Lara and Sebastien, as they re-enact Burke and Wills' steps across Australia
http://www.terraincognitatrek.com/
| ABOUT BURKE AND WILLS | MENINDEE | MUTAWINTJI | WILLS MONUMENT, DEVON |
On the 19th of October 1860, members of the Victorian Exploring Expedition (Burke and Wills Expedition) left Menindee on the Darling River for the second stage of their charge across the country, to Coopers Creek. Intended as a scientific expedition, it was, for Burke, a race with John MacDouall Stuart to be the first to cross the continent.
Arguments in Menindee led to the resignation of some members of the expedition and Burke separated the remainder into two groups: those who would travel to Cooper Creek in an advance party, and those who would remain behind, as “back-up”. William Wright was recruited as a guide.
With Wright’s guidance, and that of two Aboriginal guides, Burke’s expedition was able to make good progress. After marching the men across the flat, shrubby plains north of Menindee, Burke reached the rugged Bynguano Ranges of Mutawintji, but little time to explore this secret, ancient place. The expedition moved through with as much speed as they could muster.
Wills tried to keep up with the maintenance of navigational, geological and botanical recordings when others were asleep at night.
Successive camps were made on Nuntherungi, Tellawongee, Wonnaminta and Puldramata Creeks, before turning towards the north east. Ten days after leaving Menindee the group reached Torowoto Swamp. Still there was no rest, and Burke hastened onwards to Cooper Creek.
Wright returned to Menindee with instructions to retrieve the remaining camels, wagons and stores and follow Burke to Cooper Creek.
The expedition reached the banks of Cooper Creek on November 11th, 1860.
Tours for 2010:
IMAGES: ORIGINAL BURKE AND WILL'S TREE, MENINDEE, WRIGHT'S CAVE, MUTAWINTJI ( image © simon bayliss/outback nsw tourism 2010), KOONENBURY RANGE
