Yes, in an Australian traditional sense they were, two blokes going against the odds but seeking adventure and fame. From a historian's perspective they were heroic to attempt the task but ill prepared for what lay ahead of them. They were Australia's Scott of the Antarctica.
Another opinion:
It is not strictly accurate to say Burke and Wills were ill prepared. Their expedition was the largest and most well-equipped of any Australian exploration party. Burke could hardly be considered a hero of exploration: he was ill-tempered and impatient, traits which had a great deal of influence on the tragic outcome of the exploration. Also, he did not seek adventure and fame. His motivation was primarily to impress the girl he wished to marry, who promised she would marry him if he went on the journey.
Wills, on the other hand, could be regarded as a hero of exploration. He did not have Burke's arrogance or impatience. He had more of a scientific interest in the exploration and sought to follow the orders of the colonial government in Victoria. He sought to hold the exploration party together where Burke's interest was to complete the task as quickly as possible, at the expense of good judgement.
No. Burke and Wills did not know each other before being appointed their positions in the exploration to cross the continent.
This exploration was led by Robert O'Hara Burke and William John Wills. Accompanying them on their trek to the Gulf was John King and Charlie Gray.Other members of the Burke and Wills expedition included:George LandellsDr Ludwig BeckerDr Hernmann BecklerWilliam WrightCharles FergusonOwen CowenWilliam BraheHenry CreberRobert FletcherThomas McDonoughWilliam PattenPatrick LanganJohn DrakefordJames McIlwaineJames LaneBrookesJohn PolongeauxRobert BowmanWilliam PurcellJohn SmithCharles StoneThomas ElliotGeorg von NeumayerWilliam HodgkinsonTrooper LyonsAlexander McPhersonCamel sepoys included:SamlaDost MahometEssau KhanBeloot
In some ways, Australian explorers Burke and Wills could be regarded as heroes. They were persistent and determined, both hallmarks of a hero. They endured a massive trek across the continent in horrific conditions, and gave their absolute best for their mission.Burke was perhaps less of a hero: he was ill-tempered and impatient, traits which had a great deal of influence on the tragic outcome of the exploration. His motivation for exploring was primarily to impress the girl he wished to marry, who promised she would marry him if he went on the journey.Wills, on the other hand, could be regarded as a hero. He did not have Burke's arrogance or impatience. He had more of a scientific interest in the exploration and sought to follow the orders of the colonial government in Victoria. He sought to hold the exploration party together where Burke's interest was to complete the task as quickly as possible, at the expense of good judgement.
They didn't.
Burke and Wills reached the tidal flats of the Gulf of Carpentaria on 11 February 1861.
The exploration of Burke and Wills took place in 1860-1861.
No. Burke and Wills did not know each other before being appointed their positions in the exploration to cross the continent.
No. Explorers Burke and Wills were unrelated.
This exploration was led by Robert O'Hara Burke and William John Wills. Accompanying them on their trek to the Gulf was John King and Charlie Gray.Other members of the Burke and Wills expedition included:George LandellsDr Ludwig BeckerDr Hernmann BecklerWilliam WrightCharles FergusonOwen CowenWilliam BraheHenry CreberRobert FletcherThomas McDonoughWilliam PattenPatrick LanganJohn DrakefordJames McIlwaineJames LaneBrookesJohn PolongeauxRobert BowmanWilliam PurcellJohn SmithCharles StoneThomas ElliotGeorg von NeumayerWilliam HodgkinsonTrooper LyonsAlexander McPhersonCamel sepoys included:SamlaDost MahometEssau KhanBeloot
In some ways, Australian explorers Burke and Wills could be regarded as heroes. They were persistent and determined, both hallmarks of a hero. They endured a massive trek across the continent in horrific conditions, and gave their absolute best for their mission.Burke was perhaps less of a hero: he was ill-tempered and impatient, traits which had a great deal of influence on the tragic outcome of the exploration. His motivation for exploring was primarily to impress the girl he wished to marry, who promised she would marry him if he went on the journey.Wills, on the other hand, could be regarded as a hero. He did not have Burke's arrogance or impatience. He had more of a scientific interest in the exploration and sought to follow the orders of the colonial government in Victoria. He sought to hold the exploration party together where Burke's interest was to complete the task as quickly as possible, at the expense of good judgement.
Burke and Wills travelled from Melbourne, Victoria to the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Australian explorers Burke and Wills spoke English.
Burke came from Ireland, Wills from England
The Burke and Wills expedition left Melbourne in 1860.
On the Burke and Wills expedition, Wills was initially appointed as third-in-command, surveyor, astronomical and meteorological observer. When George Landells resigned after a dispute with Burke (some sources say Burke fired Landells), Wills was then appointed second-in-command.
The Burke and Wills expedition left Melbourne in 1860.
Thoroughly. Burke and Wills both died in June/July 1861.