Burke & Wills: Australia's Most Famous Inland Exploration Expedition

The Journey

On 20 August 1860, Robert O'Hara Burke and William John Wills departed Melbourne to lead the Victorian Exploring Expedition, one of the most ambitious and significant journeys in Australian exploration history.

Their goal was to cross Australia from south to north through the unexplored interior. Travelling through some of the continent's harshest and least understood landscapes, Burke, Wills, and their team journeyed across inland Australia and reached the Gulf of Carpentaria in early 1861. Their achievement marked a major milestone in the exploration of the Australian continent.

The return journey, however, ended in tragedy. After becoming stranded near Cooper Creek in outback Australia, both Burke and Wills died. Their story captured the imagination of the Australian colonies and became one of Australia's most enduring tales of courage, determination, and sacrifice.

Today, the Burke and Wills Memorial and their graves at Melbourne General Cemetery remain important Australian heritage sites, attracting visitors interested in Australian history, exploration, and the nation's pioneering spirit.

Why Burke and Wills Matter

Although the expedition ended tragically, it significantly expanded European knowledge of inland Australia and contributed valuable observations about the continent's geography, climate, plants, and wildlife.
The Burke and Wills expedition remains one of the defining events in Australian exploration history. More than 160 years later, Burke and Wills continue to be recognised as iconic Australian explorers whose journey represents ambition, resilience, and perseverance in the face of extraordinary challenges.
Their story remains an important part of Australia's cultural heritage and exploration legacy.

Fast Facts

• Departed: Melbourne, Victoria, 20 August 1860
• Expedition: Victorian Exploring Expedition
• Objective: Cross Australia from south to north
• Destination Reached: Gulf of Carpentaria
• Expedition Members: nineteen men
• Animals: twenty-seven camels and twenty-three horses
• Sole Survivor of the Advance Party: John King
• Location of Memorial: Melbourne General Cemetery
• Legacy: One of Australia's most famous and influential exploration stories