stuart joined charles sturt's central australian expedition to search for an inland sea in august 1844. sturt was so sure that there was an inland sea in the centre of australia, that he took a large boat as part of his equipment. stuart joined the group as a draftsman, who would draw up the maps. he was paid one pound a week, and provided with food. stuart and james poole, the second in command, were sent out ahead of the main group to find water. the main group could only travel as fast as their flock of sheep could walk. stuart and poole found water at depot glen, near the current site of milparinka.