View a "zoomable" version.

This map takes up from where Sheet 3 of the South Australia Parliamentary Paper no. 169 of 1861 left off, i.e. at Newcastle Waters just above 18 degrees S. From Howell's Ponds, Stuart again attempted to get across to the Victoria River and was beaten by the dense scrub. The expedition then discovered Daly Waters, Purdie's Pond and the Strangways River before crossing Augustus Gregory's 1856 route near Mount Mueller. Stuart continued north along the Mary and Adelaide rivers until he struck Thring Creek and Charles Creek to reach the north coast at Point Stuart in Van Diemens Gulf. Ludwig Leichhardt's track of 1844-45 is also shown but with no topographic detail, apart from river crossings. Stuart's route is again annotated with his reports of the country.

Ludwig Leichhardt had led an expedition from the Moreton Bay district to Port Essington in the Northern Territory. It left in October 1844 from Jimbour the most distant settled area and finally reached Port Essington in December 1845. John Gilbert was killed on this expedition. Leichhardt subsequently led an expedition across Australia but this vanished without trace. Augustus Gregory was a consumate bushman and surveyor. In 1855 he was appointed leader of a scientific expedition which explored the Top End of the Northern Territory, including the Victoria River and Sturt Creek and travelled overland to Moreton Bay, further exploring the Roper, Elsey and Macarthur Rivers.

Stuart, John McDouall, 1815-1866

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