Tag Archives: John McDougall Stuart John McDougall Stuart was
one of Australia’s greatest explorers. He was relentless in his
quest for a way through the centre of Australia and finding a
route to the top end. He led six expeditions , each time pushing
himself and his men to the brink of death. He travelled light
with minimum provisions and horses, and just a few men. Stuart’s
expeditions started in 1858 in search of Wingillpin. Thinking
there was an inland sea in the middle of Australia, the brave
explorer forged his way from Adelaide to the centre. From there
he moved ever northward, looking for the coast and the Gulf of
Carpentaria. He discovered and accurately mapped land, ranges,
rivers and water holes, enabling stock routes to be formed and
the first overland telegraph to be laid from Adelaide to the
north coast of Australia. His last expedition in 1862 took him a
year and finally he forced his way through to the sea at Point
Stuart, on the edge of Kakadu National Park. He had won the race
for the first