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Burke and Wills.

In 1860 a prize of two thousand pounds was offered to the first to cross the Australian continent from south to north. Two explorers, the experienced John MacDouall Stuart from Adelaide, and new comer Robert O’Hara Burke, from Melbourne, answered the call. William John Wills was appointed Burke’s surveyor.

The horse and camel expedition that left Melbourne triumphantly in August was to end tragically in a lonely desolate place hundreds of miles away.

Leadership squabbles beset the group from early days. At Menindie in October Wills was appointed second in charge. Irritated by the slowness of progress Burke decided to split the group. Eight men would push on to Cooper's Creek, while the rest would remain in Menindie, awaiting further instructions.

The journey took them north through Mootawingee National Park, then on toward the Bulloo Overflow, east of Milparinka.

After their arrival in Cooper's Creek, group member Wright was sent back to get the rest of the expedition, and the balance of the stores. He failed to return.

On December 16th Burke, Wills, John King and Charles Gray left Coopers Creek for the Gulf of Carpentaria. They reached the tidal swamps on February 9th, 1862.

Gray died of dysentery on the rain delayed return journey.

William Brahe had been left behind at Cooper’s Creek, but just eight hours before Burke returned on April 21st. he gave up the wait, and set out for Menindie.

Gaining some strength from the stores Brahe had buried below the “Dig Tree”, the desolated party decided to try to reach Mt Hopeless to the south west.

Lost, and starving, Burke and Wills wandered in the desert for several weeks, but died in late June 1861. King was cared for by Aboriginals and rescued by a search party.