About Ludwig LeichhardtAfter having repaired some harness, which had been broken by our refractory bullocks upsetting their loads, and after my companions had completed their arrangements, in which Mr. Bell kindly assisted, we left Jimba, and launched, buoyant with hope, into the wilderness of Australia.
Many a man's heart would have thrilled like our own, had he seen us winding our way round the first rise beyond the station, with a full chorus of 'God Save the Queen,' which has inspired many a British soldier,- aye, and many a Prussian too - with courage in the time of danger. - An excerpt from Ludwig Leichhardt's journal, marking the first day of the expedition 170 years ago on October 1, 1844. |
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Leichhardt Land webpage |
This site has fast become a 'gathering place' (as the traditional custodians of our land might say) or a 'Treffpunkt' ('meeting point') for all things Leichhardt. There is a vast range of pieces published, in books and on the web, but little collected under one roof.
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LEICHHARDT’S CONTINENTAL TREKS |
On an expedition to cross the Australian continent from East to West, the celebrated explorer Ludwig Leichhardt (1813-1848) and his party disappeared.
Despite his relatively short career as an explorer, the Prussian-born botanist had already earned his place as one of Australia’s great pioneer adventurers. Click the button to read more. |
Leichhardt explored parts of Queensland and Northern Territory. While attempting to travel from Moreton Bay (Brisbane) to Perth, his party disappeared. Many search parties went out to try and find traces of the party. Some of these found bones, but they were not able to prove that it was any of Leichhardt's party.
Some people believe that the party mutinied and killed Leichhardt and all were later killed by aborigines except for one member of the party, Adolf Classen. It was thought that he lived on among the aborigines. Other historians believe that Leichhardt's party was caught and died in sudden floods in the channel country in Queensland. Still others believe that he and his party may have died of thirst or that bushfires may have killed the party. For whatever reason, the expedition completely disappeared into the desert. His disappearance still remains a mystery today. Click the button to read more. |
Other Useful Sites
Leichhardt Expedition from Moreton Bay to Port Essington, 1844-1845
Interactive map sheds new light on Ludwig Leichhardt expedition
An Australian National University (ANU) project has shed new light on explorer Ludwig Leichhardt and his landmark expedition through northern Australia in 1844. The ANU has launched a new paper map, as well as an interactive digital map, showing the precise route taken by Leichhardt on his journey from Moreton Bay, in south-east Queensland, to Port Essington in the Northern Territory. Click the image to read more. |