Edward Eyre overlanded sheep and cattle from New South Wales in 1838-39. Following this he decided to explore to the north of Adelaide. He set out in May 1839 with a party of five men and provisions for three months. After crossing the Wakefield and Hutt Rivers he discovered and named Crystal Brook. Shortly after the country became more barren and water supplies more infrequent. Some distance beyond the head of Spencer Gulf, Eyre camped for a week and examined the region. From a nearby mountain he viewed arid ranges blocking his progress north and east. To the west stretched apparent desert. To the north-west he saw salt lakes.

Discouraged by this he returned to his depot where his overseer John Baxter reported that his foray to the south-west had also failed to find water, and that the country was inhospitable. With Baxter, Eyre then explored to the west of the Gulf, but without water they were forced back again to their depot. He then explored the Eyre Peninsula which would be named for him by Governor Gawler. Travelling north a further 200 kilometres he again saw the glittering salt pans of Lake Torrens apparently barring his way north. Disappointed, he returned to Adelaide. He had failed yet again to find 'fertile and valuable country.'

Again Edward Eyre volunteered to lead an exploration party and left Adelaide in June 1840 and travelled to his depot at Mount Arden. He failed to cross Lake Torrens and moved further north, continuing to explore to the north, and continually thwarted by the glittering expanses of salt lakes. He then travelled to the east, naming Mount Serle, and then north-east to a point he named Mount Hopeless, because of the bleak outlook. He abandoned any hope of exploring further north and turned his attention to searching for a viable route to Western Australia. Again he encountered extreme conditions and lack of water. After the murder of his overseer Baxter and desertion by two Aboriginal men, Eyre continued with his sole companion, Wylie an Aboriginal boy. He eventually reached Albany in June 1841, from where he returned to Adelaide by sea. There was no viable overland route to the west.