WHY DIDN'T BURKE AND WILLS REACH THE GULF OF CARPENTARIA?

In the early 1860’s the colonies of Victoria and South Australia were involved in a race to see which one would become the first to finance an exploration team to cross the continent from the southern ocean to the northern shores. Such expeditions would take explorers through the unknown arid interior and on to the savanna lands of the tropics. The Victorian expedition, led by Burke and Wills, was lavishly funded and well resources. It left months earlier than the South Australian expedition team led by Stuart. Residents in each of the colonial capitals waited for news of progress and hopefully achievement. Both expeditions faced considerable hardship. The Burke and Wills expedition gained more interest, probably due to the disasters encountered on the return journey south; the events of the dig tree and the death of Burke and Wills. Stuart, although badly affected by the journey returned to Adelaide without losing any of his party of seven. In terms of dates the Burke and Wills group reached the northern areas before Stuart but the debate developed about the technical issue of actually standing on the northern beaches. Stuart managed this but Burke and Wills, for various reasons, did not. This is a piece of Australian colonial history which answers the question. The debate about who can claim the “first crossing” continues. Take your students to camp 119, Burke and Wills most northerly camp where they will find some answers. A question and research page is provided as an attachment. Reference to the unit on Stuart is provided if you wish to delve further into Australian colonial history.