Where did John McDouall Stuart explore?

Answer 1

John McDouall Stuart was one of only a few desert explorers who never took camels. He relued on small, easy-to-manage parties.

Stuart took horses, with bedrolls, minimal clothing, and pistols. Food included water supplies, dried meat, flour, salt, sugar and tea.

Answer 2

John McDouall Stuart is best known as the first recorded European to cross Australia from south to north, and return alive. Stuart first explored when he was employed as a draughtsman by Captain Charles Sturt on an expedition into the desert interior. Following his experience with Sturt, Stuart led a number of expeditions west of Lake Eyre.

On his first expedition, Stuart discovered a large creek with apparently permanent water southwest of Lake Eyre, in June 1858. He named it Chambers Creek after James Chambers, the man who would later become the sponsor for future expeditions. Although this was the only significant discovery on this expedition, Chambers Creek became a vital starting point in opening the way for further exploration into central Australia.

When the South Australian government offered a reward of two thousand pounds to the first expedition to reach the northern coast, Stuart went beyond Lake Eyre in the attempt to reach the north. 1860 saw Stuart's fourth expedition, and his second attempt to cross Australia from south to north. Stuart eventually succeeded in crossing the continent two years later. The Overland Telegraph Line followed his route across the centre of Australia, and later, the Ghan railway line also followed this route.