the party left alice springs on camel back en route to uluru and the western ranges. a few hundred kilometres west of uluru they discovered a tree with inscriptions and directions, left by lasseter, to a river and cave. upon digging a short while, buck and brandon-cremer discovered the bones of harold lasseter, and his diary. a subsequent search did not find the fabled reef of gold. the story has become australian folklore and some still believe the reef of gold exists.