What impact did Charles Sturt have on Australia?

Answer 1

After Sturt came to Australia in 1827, he aimed to solve the mystery of where the inland rivers of New South Wales flowed. The rivers appeared to flow towards the centre of the continent, so it was believed that they emptied into an inland sea. Sturt first followed the Macquarie River as far as the Darling, which he named after Governor Darling.

Early in 1829, Sturt first followed the Macquarie River as far as the Darling, which he named after Governor Darling.

Pleased with what Sturt had discovered, Governor Darling sponsored Sturt's expedition to trace the course of the Murrumbidgee River, and to see whether it joined to the Darling. This was in December 1829- February 1830. On this expedition, Sturt discovered that the Murrumbidgee River flowed into the Murray (previously named the Hume), as did the Darling.

In the 1840s, Sturt undertook an expedition of his own initiative, to explore the deserts in northern South Australia. He was obsessed with the idea of an inland sea in central Australia. However, he failed to find any evidence of such a sea.

Answer 2

On his first expedition, Captain Charles Sturt undertook to solve the mystery of where the inland rivers of New South Wales flowed. Sturt first traced the Macquarie River as far as the Darling, which he named after Governor Darling.

Answer 3

Charles Sturt explored the inland regions of Australia, and his exploration had considerable impact on the development and growth of Australia.

The most obvious outcome from Charles Sturt's expedition down the Murray River was that it opened up Australia's inland waterways to the transportation of people and goods. This saved a lot of time transporting supplies overland, or by ship around the coastline.

Similarly, by finding a route through to the southern coast, it opened the way for the settlement of South Australia. England had been seeking a site to establish a settlement on the southern coast, and Sturt's expedition pointed the way for this.

His discovery also led to a resolution of the problem of where the inland rivers flowed. This expedition, together with his later expedition into the desert interior, disproved once and for all the existence of an inland sea.

Answer 4

Yes and no.

Charles Sturt's early expeditions were very successful. He discovered and named the Darling River. He also discovered where the inland rivers flowed, as the Lachlan River flowed into the Murrumbidgee River and the Murrumbidgee flowed into the Murray, which then was found to empty into the Southern Ocean. This discovery opened up much of inland New South Wales for settlement, and also led to the colonisation of South Australia.

However, Sturt was certain there must be an inland sea, and he explored through the inland deserts in an attempt to find it. He failed to find the object of his search, as no inland sea exists, but he helped map more of Australia's interior.

Answer 5

Charles Stuart was trying to find an inland sea in Australia. While he did not find that, he did discover several rivers, and determined they all drained into the Murray River.

Answer 6

Prior to exploring in Australia, Sturt served in the British navy.