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Burke and Wills are significant to Australia, because they represent one of the most disastrous chapters in Australia's exploration history.
The expedition of Burke and Wills was one of the largest to ever be undertaken in Australian history - and one of the most tragic.
Robert O'Hara Burke, with William Wills appointed second-in-command, led the 1860-61 expedition to try to cross Australia from Melbourne in the south to the Gulf of Carpentaria in the north - and back again. Their party was very well equipped and, because of its size, was split at Menindee so that Burke could race ahead to the Gulf of Carpentaria with a smaller group. Part of this smaller group established a depot at Cooper Creek to stock provisions for when the explorers returned from the Gulf. Burke chose the wrong tim,e of year to make the push for the north, leaving in December 1860 - Australia's summer. He took with him Wills, Charles Gray and John King.
The expedition to the Gulf took much longer than Burke expected: when he returned to Cooper Creek, he found that the relief party had left just seven hours earlier, which was actually less than how much time it had taken to bury Gray, who had died on the return journey. Through poor judgement, lack of observation and a series of miscommunications, Burke and Wills never met up with the relief party. They perished on the banks of Cooper Creek. King alone survived to lead the rescue party to the remains of Burke and Wills, and the failure of one of the most elaborately planned expeditions in Australia's history.
Burke and Wills, whilst possibly the first to actually cross the continent, essentially lost the race to John MacDougall Stuart who crossed Australia on his third attempt and returned alive.
What else can I help you with?
What year did Burke and Wills explore Australia?
The Burke and Wills expedition left Melbourne in 1860.
What year was the Burke and Wills expedition?
The ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition across Australia was in 1860-1861.
When did Burke and Wills cross Australia?
Burke and Wills made their ill-fated expedition to cross the Australian continent in 1860-1861.
What was the prize offered to Burke and Wills?
Burke and Wills were offered a 2000 pound reward if they succeeded in being the first to cross Australia south to north.
When did Burke and Wills explore?
Robert O'Hara Burke and William Wills led the 1860-61expedition to try to cross Australia from Melbourne in the south to the Gulf of Carpentaria in the north.
What did Burke and Wills do in 1860?
In 1860, Burke and Wills departed Melbourne to become the first explorers to attempt to cross the continent of Australia from south to north. Their journey was unsuccessful, and both Burke and Wills (and another man, Grey) died out in the Australian desert.
Did Burke and Wills die crossing Australia?
Yes. Burke and Wills hoped to be the first explorers to cross overland from the south of Australia to the north. They departed from Melbourne and reached the Gulf of Carpentaria, but due to a series of misunderstandings and miscommunication, the relief party never reached Burke and Wills, and the men died out in the desert, on the banks of Cooper Creek.
Who is William Wills?
William john wills was an explorer you may of heard of him from the "Burke and wills expodition" he was the first person to travel south to north in Australia in the desert
Was Burke wills brother?
No. Explorers Burke and Wills were unrelated.
Which continent did Burke and Wills explore?
Robert O'Hara Burke and William Wills led the 1860-61 expedition to try to cross the continent of Australia, from Melbourne in the south to the Gulf of Carpentaria in the north.
Who is William John Wills?
William john wills was an explorer you may of heard of him from the "Burke and wills expodition" he was the first person to travel south to north in Australia in the desert
What was the name of Burke and wills ship?
The ship used by Robert O'Hara Burke and William John Wills for their expedition to cross Australia in 1860 was called the "Victoria." It was part of the expedition's supplies and transportation, which aimed to traverse from Melbourne to the northern coast of Australia.
