Governor Gawler and Charles Sturt set out in November 1839 to explore the country to the north of present day Morgan at the great bend in the River Murray. The first part of the expedition was by boat up the river, and on this stage Sturt and Gawler were accompanied by their wives and Gawler's daughter, together with a maid.

From the north-west bend, Gawler, Sturt and several others including Henry Bryan set out to explore the land to the north. The land was not particularly good and there was a great shortage of water, so the party began the return to the river, splitting into two groups. Henry Bryan became lost and despite many searches no trace of him was ever found. Mt Bryan commemorates his name. Gawler and Sturt published a report of their expedition in the South Australian Register, and this was later published as a book and included Julia Gawler's account of the river trip.

Gawler, George, 1795-1869

Sturt, Charles, 1795-1869

Bryan, Henry, d. 1839

Sturt, Charles, The Mount Bryan expedition 1839. Adelaide: Sullivan's Cove, 1982

Gawler Family papers

Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia South Australian Branch vol. 38, 1936-37, pp.33-48

Letter to Henry Cox from George Gawler D 3063(L) Letter written by Lt.-Col. George Gawler to his brother-in-law, Henry Cox, in Derby, 20 December 1839. Describes the circumstances in which Henry Bryan lost his life during Gawler's northern expedition to Mount Bryan, 1839.

Australian dictionary of biography online: Gawler, George (1795-1869)

Australian dictionary of biography online: Sturt, Charles (1795-1869)

Disappearance of Henry Bryan trail