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Major Thomas Livingstone Mitchell made numerous significant discoveries in Australia.
Sir Thomas Mitchell's first expedition was to investigate rumours of a north-flowing river situated in northern New South Wales: a river that did not exist, but stories of which were spread by an escaped convict. He departed in November 1831. He discovered the lower courses of the Peel (Namoi), Gwydir, and Dumaresq Rivers and identified the Upper Darling.
Mitchell's second journey set out on 7 April 1835 from Boree Station, to follow and map the course of the Darling River which Sturt had discovered some years earlier. Mitchell was determined to prove Sturt wrong in the latter's belief that the river flowed southward into the Murray, as Mitchell believed it must flow northwest. After travelling for several months and following the Darling for almost 500km, Mitchell was forced to admit that Sturt was indeed correct.
On his third journey, Mitchell discovered the rich farming country of western Victoria, which he named "Australia Felix", or "Happy Australia". Prior to reaching this district, Mitchell found significant grazing land south of the Murray River. South of the Murray he discovered the Avoca and Glenelg Rivers. He then went on to discover the Campaspe and Wimmera Rivers and reached the coast near Cape Northumberland. This journey was in 1836.
Mitchell departed on his fourth and final expedition on 16 December 1845, with Edmund Kennedy as his second in command, in search of a great river that he believed must flow from southern Queensland to the Gulf of Carpentaria. He left from Orange in central New South Wales, and headed into what is now western Queensland. Mitchell discovered and named the Balonne, Warrego, Culgoa, Barcoo and Belyando rivers, which mostly flowed south-west into the Darling.
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Dates of Charles Sturt and Thomas Mitchell's expeditions?
For dates and places Charles Sturt and Thomas Mitchell explored, see the related questions.
What did Major Thomas Mitchell discover?
Major Thomas Mitchell's first expedition was in 1831, to investigate rumours of a north-flowing river situated in northern New South Wales: a river that did not exist, but stories of which were spread by an escaped convict. On this expedition, he discovered the lower courses of the Namoi and Dumaresq Rivers and identified the Upper Darling. Mitchell's second journey, in 1835, departed from Boree Station, to follow and map the course of the Darling River which Sturt had discovered some years earlier. Mitchell was determined to prove Sturt wrong in the latter's belief that the river flowed southward into the Murray, as Mitchell believed it must flow northwest. After travelling for several months and following the Darling for almost 500km, Mitchell was forced to agree with Sturt's discoveries. After Mitchell returned downstream from following the Darling River to see if it did indeed flow into the Murray, he discovered the Loddon River early in July 1836 during exploration south of the Murray. He originally referred to the Loddon by its Aboriginal name, "Yarrayne". This led to his third and most successful journey, when Mitchell discovered the rich farming country of western Victoria, which he named "Australia Felix", or "Happy Australia". Prior to reaching this district, Mitchell found significant grazing land south of the Murray River. South of the Murray he discovered the Avoca and Glenelg Rivers. He then went on to discover the Campaspe and Wimmera Rivers and reached the coast near Cape Northumberland. He also discovered and named the Grampians mountain range in western Victoria. Mitchell's fourth and final expedition was in 1845-1846. He left Orange in central New South Wales in search of a great river that he believed must flow from southern Queensland to the Gulf of Carpentaria. He did not find the river he hoped existed, but he did discover and name the Maranoa, Balonne, Warrego, Culgoa, Barcoo and Belyando rivers, which mostly flowed south-west into the Darling.
Why did Sir Thomas Mitchell explore?
One of Sir Thomas Mitchell's primary motivations was pride. Mitchell was determined to prove Sturt was wrong when he said that the Darling River flowed into the Murray. He felt it was a great indignity that Sturt, whom he regarded as inexperienced, was sent on the important expedition of charting the NSW interior. Mitchell was also a very skilled surveyor and accurate map-maker. If the new country was going to be explored and charted, he wanted to be sure it was done accurately.
What hardship did Major Thomas Mitchell face in his journey to Australia?
Major Thomas Mitchell did not face any hardships on his journey to Australia. However, while he was exploring through Australia's interior, he encountered some difficulties. His main problems centred around encounters with hostile Aborigines, and he lost several men in these, not to mention the aboriginal men who were also killed.Thomas Mitchell was a highly intelligent and disciplined man, but he was also very arrogant, and tended to think his way was superior to that of others. He ran his expeditions like he planned to conquer the country - not just explore it. As a result he had very high expectations of his men and of himself, and he was constantly frustrated by not being able to find any good land of substance, until he came across the fertile western Victoria region.
How many lands did Burke and Wills discover?
Burke and Wills did not actually discover any significant new land. Their claim to fame was crossing the continent from south to north on foot. However, much of the land they explored had already been traversed some decades earlier by explorers Ludwig Leichhardt and Major Thomas Mitchell.
When was Thomas Livingstone Mitchell born?
Thomas Livingstone Mitchell was born on June 16, 1792 in Grangemouth, Scotland.
How old is Thomas Livingstone Mitchell?
Thomas Mitchell was 63 years old when he died on 5 October 1855. He died in Carthona, Darling Point, Sydney, Australia due to Bronchitis.
What was named after Thomas Livingstone Mitchell?
A school I think
Who invented the canvas water bag?
Sir Thomas Livingstone Mitchell
Who is the Australian explorer who invented the canvas water bag?
Sir Thomas Livingstone Mitchell
How did Thomas Mitchell come to Australia?
By ship.
When did Thomas Mitchell discover Moree?
Thomas Mitchell did not discover Moree. Towns are never "discovered"; they are only established after the site has been discovered.Thomas Mitchell reached the Mehi River at a point about ten miles east of today's Moree on 9 January 1832.
When was Mitchell Thomas born?
Major Thomas Mitchell, explorer of Australia, was born in Craigend, Scotland, on either June 15 or 16, 1792.
Why did thomas mitchell come to Australia?
Thomas Mitchell moved to Australia with his 12 kids and wife because he was offered to be John Oxley's assistant surveyor but the job was in NSW so they moved so he could have the job.
Did aboriginals help Thomas Mitchell and his explorers?
The indigenous people of Australia did not assist Thomas Mitchell and his men. The Aborigines learnt from experience that Mitchell and his men were to be feared, and that they should stay away from them. On a number of occasions, Mitchell's men killed Aborigines, and at one stage even actively conducted an ambush, and subsequent massacre, of them.
How did Thomas Mitchell die?
Thomas Mitchell died from bone cancer
What is Thomas Mitchell's birthday?
Thomas Mitchell was born on July 11, 1892.
