Burke and Wills: Melbourne to the Gulf

The expedition set off from Royal Park at about 4pm on 20 August 1860, watched by around 15,000 spectators. The nineteen men included six Irishmen, five Englishmen, three Germans, an American and four camel drivers. They took twenty-three horses, six wagons and twenty-six camels. A tree first marked the departure point; it was later replaced by a cairn.

Location precision: The departure point was marked by a tree, later a cairn; the pin marks Royal Park generally.

The party reached Menindee on 14 October 1860 and made Camp XXXIV. There was dissent, and the deputy leader George Landells resigned. Burke worried that the rival explorer Stuart might beat him to the north coast, so he split the group, taking fifteen horses, sixteen camels and the seven fittest men. They left Menindee on 19 October, racing ahead of the slower supply train.

Location precision: The camp was on the Darling River at Kinchega Station; the pin marks the town of Menindee.

Burke's men set up Camp LXV on Cooper's Creek on 6 December 1860, and on 16 December Burke pressed on to the Gulf with Wills, King and Gray. Brahe and three others were told to wait. They left on 21 April 1861, burying supplies and carving the word DIG on a tree. Burke's trio, back from the Gulf, reached the camp that same evening, hours too late.

Visitor guidance: A boardwalk surrounds the tree; the Face Tree, carved with Burke's face and the letters ROHB, is on the same reserve.

Around 2 February 1861 the group formed Camp CXIX on the banks of the Bynoe River. Wills noticed the water was salty and tidal. Burke and Wills went on through the swamps toward the coast. It is assumed they may have reached or viewed the Gulf on 11 February, but there is no documentary evidence. They rejoined the others at the camp and began the return journey on 13 February.

Location precision: The exact camp site is not given in the source; the pin marks the Bynoe River area, not a confirmed shore.

Burke and Wills died on the return journey. The Exploration Committee fixed 28 June 1861 as the date both died, though the exact dates are unknown. King survived with the help of Aboriginal people and was found on 15 September by the rescue expedition led by Alfred Howitt. The state funeral was held on 21 January 1863, with an estimated 40,000 people lining the streets. Both men were buried at the Melbourne General Cemetery.