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Charles Sturt's expedition to Central Australia in 1844-46 was to search for the north south watershed of the continent. He was also hopeful of finding an inland sea. He travelled up the River Murray and then the Darling River to Laidley's Ponds (now part of the Menindee Lakes). From here the expedition travelled north-west over to the ranges. Even in the early stages after leaving the river, water was hard to find. The various attempts by the expedition to find water and to travel to the north-west towards Edward Eyre's Mount Hopeless are traced on the map. Then as Sturt led his men further north to his depot at Fort Grey even more journeys are traced. His longest trip away from the safety of the main camp was that to the north-west, across the Stony Desert and to the edge of what would later be called the Simpson Desert in August and September 1845.

This was not his last attempt to find water or good land in the interior. He would advance out from Fort Grey again in October, cross the Stony Desert again and then return to explore along the Cooper Creek. The upper reaches of this waterway are shown on the map as the Victoria River or Barcoo. It was not realised at this stage that the Cooper, Victoria or Barcoo were the same river. Charles Sturt did not find his inland sea, and the boat he took to sail upon it was painted, floated and then abandoned on the creek at Depot Glen. He did reach within 150 miles of the centre of the continent, which would be reached by one of his men, John McDouall Stuart in 1860. Sturt also discovered the continent's north south watershed, although it was not realised at the time.

Sturt, Charles, 1795-1869

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing. Taking it to the edge August 2004-