What was the reason for Ludwig Leichhardt's expedition?

Answer 1

The main reason for Leichhardt's expedition was to find a new route from the Darling Downs to the tiny military outpost of Port Essington in the north, not far from where Darwin now stands. Leichhardt was also a keen botanist, and he was personally interested in studying the many new species of flora Australia had to offer, from what he was used to in his native Prussia. He collected hundreds and hundreds of specimens which, to his deep regret, had to be disposed of when his horses became too weak to carry any unnecessary loads.

Answer 2

First Expedition

17 horses

16 bullocks

several hunting dogs

550kg of flour

19kg of sugar

40kg of tea

10kg of gelatine

firearms

Second Expedition

108 sheep

270 goats

40 bullocks

15 horses

13 mules

Third Expedition

20 mules

8 horses

50 oxen

800lb of flour

120lb of tea

100lb of salt

250lb of shot

40lb of powder

60lb of tobacco

Leichhardt also took many men on his expeditions. On his first expedition, he took five Englishmen, one of whom was naturalist John Gilbert, and two Aborigines, Harry Brown and Charlie Fisher. As a keen botanist himself, Leichhardt took numerous notebooks, pencils and watercolours to record his observations and findings along the way, as well as equipment to preserve specimens collected.