The Golden Age of Exploration
Adelaide to Melbourne
Departs 26 July 15 August 2010 - 21 days

$5000 per person travelling as a passenger in our vehicles
$3300 per person self drive in your own vehicle

The Explorer………..a man who, among his many qualifications must be able to make a pie, shoe himself or his horse, jerk a doggerel verse or two, not for himself, but simply for the benefit or annoyance of others and not necessarily for publication, nor as a guarantee of good faith; ………..to take and make an observation now and again, mend a watch, kill or cure a horse, make a packsaddle, and understand something of astronomy, surveying, geography, geology and mineralogy

"The central period of Australian exploration, especially in it early stages is more than remarkable. By the year 1856 the little band of settlers who clung with such desperate eagerness and pathetic zeal to the narrow hem of their incongruously large continent, had done little towards solving the question which Sturt had two years previously called, "The greatest remaining geographical problem of the day." The littoral they knew - within limits; the Murray and Victoria river systems they knew - on the whole - but of the ultimate fate of those rivers which were conceived to flow inland for he north, west and southern coast ranges they knew nothing. Many could see the sunny lands bordering an Australian Caspian, and receiving the waters of three thousand miles of coastal range; few who did not cherish fond hope of fertile patches between Eyre's salt lakes, swamps, sandy deserts and ranges. Gregory, who in 1857 knew more perhaps of the interior than any living man was of the opinion that "we have now sufficient data for assuming that the remainder of the unexplored interior is a desert, or at least unfit for the habitation of civilised man." The words cast a chill as Eyre's had done, and the chill spread; but hot blood and light pockets knew no law in the Australia of '56. Both stimuli in every state led to exploration effort being directed towards a solution of the one great problem, and of that problem South Australia held the master key."
Bessie Threadgill -Tinline Scholar, University of Adelaide 1922

This expedition celebrates the great age of Australian exploration. Jointly led by Andrew Dwyer and Rick Moore - President of the John McDouall Stuart Society and inveterate explorer, this expedition will travel to sites of interest and tracks of some of the best and least known Australian explorers. Thrill to tales of their extraordinary exploits, share their triumphs and failures, success and catastrophes, and find out what it is about the remote Australian outback that kept them coming back for more despite the incredible hardships they suffered in the name of exploration.

This expedition commences the day after the annual John McDouall Stuart rememberance ceremony in Victoria Square Adelaide. Expedition participants are warmly welcome to attend the ceremony and get some pre - expedition flavour. Contact us for details.

Itinerary at a Glance

Adelaide - Port Augusta - Wudinna - Googs Lakes - Mt. Finke - Cook - Vokes Hill
Cadney Park - The Painted Desert - Oodnadatta - The Peake Repeater Station - Wabma Kardarbu National Park - Wobmapianna - Stuart Creek Station - Marree - Gammon Ranges - Mt. Freeling - Innaminka - Tibooburra - Menindee - Swan Hill - Melbourne.

Explorers featured

Program Includes:
20 nights camping in swag complete with mattress, fitted sheet, doona, doona cover and pillow
Crockery, cutlery and all camping equipment
All meals commencing with lunch on Day 1 and concluding with breakfast on Day 21
Transport as per the itinerary in a comfortable expedition vehicles equipped to travel the outback roads with experienced driver
Entry fees, permits, visits and entry fees
Use of appropriate reference materials
Support of a motor mechanic if needed for self-drive participants whilst in remote locations
Satellite Emergency Phone Access

Program Excludes:
Cost of transfers to Adelaide or from Melbourne
Comprehensive Travel Insurance
Costs of a personal nature
Any optional activities elected by participants
All camping equipment for self-drive participants
Fuel costs for self-drive participants
Costs associated with damage, breakdown and recovery of vehicles used in self-drive transport or costs associated with vehicle preparation for the program.

Self Drive Participants:
You will be required to have a roadworthy, four wheel drive vehicle appropriately equipped for travel in isolated regions. Fuel arrangements and a check list will be communicated to interested participants prior to departure.

Self-drive participants are required to assist by carrying up to three cartons or packages of food for common use and a Jerry can, with water, for use in the kitchen.