The Burke and Wills Expedition - Part 3 - Menindee
Listen now
Description
In part 3 of our series, the Victorian Exploring Expedition travels from Melbourne to the frontier outpost of Menindee on the Darling River. Along the way, the VEE will undergo a transformation as many key members will be fired (or resign), and others will join the company. Meanwhile, Robert Burke must dodge an arrest notice, criticism and his own ego to move the VEE forward. Map: https://explorerspodcast.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/map2-1.png People and Places Robert O’Hara Burke – Leader of the Victorian Exploring Expedition (VEE) George Landells – Horse trader who brought 25 camels to Australia, and 2nd-in-command of the VEE. Fired upon reaching Menindee. William Wills – British surveyor and astronomer. Named 2nd-in-command of the expedition after the dismissal of George Landells. Victoria Exploring Expedition (VEE) – The official name of the expedition led by Robert Burke to cross the Australian continent. John McDouall Stuart – Scottish explorer who would be the chief competitor with the VEE to blaze a route across Australia. Hermann Beckler - German doctor and botanist. mega at Menindee, but stayed on.  Ludwig Becker - German geologist and naturalist. William Wright - Bushman who would join Burke at Menindee as a guide.  Georg von Neumayer - Professor and member of the Exploration Committee.  John King - 22-year old ex-soldier. Came from India with camels.  William Hodgkinson - Journalist who joined expedition at Swan Hill.  Cooper’s Creek – River in central Australia. It is about halfway across the continent if someone is traveling between Melbourne and Gulf of Carpentaria in the north. About 750 miles from Melbourne. Menindee - Most northerly outpost on the route of the VEE in their trek across Australia. About 400 miles from Melbourne. Gulf of Carpentaria - The most direct route from Victoria to the northern coast of Australia - roughly a 1500 mile journey across the continent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More Episodes
Jules Dumont d'Urville returns to the South Pacific about the Astrolabe. In this episode, we explore Australia, New Zealand and the Tongan Islands. The ship will - multiple times - find itself stuck on reefs. The episode will end with d'Urville bombarding the Tongans after seize numerous hostages...
Published 03/18/24
Published 03/18/24
In 1822, d'Urville set off on his first epic voyage - a three year expedition around the world as the 2nd-in-command of the Coquille. The voyage will take him to the Falkland Islands, South America, Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand and more. Daring French Explorations Giveaway:...
Published 03/11/24