What effect did Thomas Mitchell's exploration have on the history of Australia?

Answer 1

Major Thomas Mitchell made several journeys in various parts of Australia, and as a result, expansion of the colonies was enabled.

Mitchell's most beneficial was his 1836 journey south of the Murray River, when he 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. Rivers were vital for expanding settlement. He then went on to discover the Campaspe and Wimmera Rivers and reached the coast near Cape Northumberland.

Mitchell also discovered the Maranoa River in what is now Queensland in 1846. The river was named after an Aboriginal word meaning 'human hand'. It was on this journey that Mitchell also discovered and named the Balonne, Culgoa, Barcoo and Belyando rivers, which mostly flowed south-west into the Darling. Although this area was not as rich as the land he had found in Victoria on an earlier expedition, it would prove to be excellent grazing country in the future.