Overview:
This 1848 journal recounts Sir Thomas Mitchell’s expedition through the interior of tropical Australia. The expedition aimed to find a route from Sydney to the Gulf of Carpentaria. Mitchell’s journey is marked by challenging terrain, constant searching for water, and encounters with indigenous tribes. The journal provides valuable insights into the landscape, the unique flora and fauna, and the social dynamics between the indigenous people and the European colonists.
Mitchell’s expedition starts in December 1845, facing immediate difficulties with scorching heat and lack of water. The expedition travels through various landscapes, including grassy plains, dense scrubs, and mountainous regions. While often encountering indigenous people, Mitchell emphasizes his peaceful approach, seeking their guidance and understanding. He is acutely aware of the impact of European colonization on the indigenous people and their traditional ways of life, highlighting the encroachment of sheep stations onto cattle runs, the depletion of water sources by cattle, and the displacement of indigenous communities.
Key Findings:
- Mitchell’s expedition provides evidence of a previously unknown river system in the interior of tropical Australia, the Balonne, with significant tributaries.
- The expedition traverses a vast and diverse landscape, from grassy plains and scrubs to mountains and dry riverbeds, highlighting the richness and complexity of Australia’s interior.
- The journal highlights the crucial role of water in survival in the Australian interior and the challenges faced by both the indigenous inhabitants and the European colonists.
- The expedition provides a detailed account of indigenous Australian communities and their culture, highlighting their resilience and resourcefulness in the face of European encroachment.
Learning:
- The challenges of traversing the Australian interior: The journey highlights the harsh conditions of Australia’s interior, especially the lack of reliable water sources and the prevalence of dense scrub.
- The importance of water for survival: Mitchell’s expedition underscores the significance of water in the harsh Australian environment, as the search for water becomes a primary concern for both the expedition members and the indigenous inhabitants.
- The impact of European colonization on indigenous Australians: Mitchell’s detailed observations of indigenous communities, their cultural practices, and their relationship with the encroaching Europeans offer valuable insights into the complex effects of colonization.
- The importance of respect and understanding between cultures: Mitchell’s interactions with indigenous Australians emphasize the importance of building trust and cooperation between different cultures, promoting a peaceful approach to exploring and utilizing new territories.
Historical Context:
The expedition takes place in 1845-1846, a time of significant colonial expansion in Australia. The search for a route to the Gulf of Carpentaria reflects the growing ambitions of Australian colonists to connect with the Indian Ocean and open new trade routes. The expedition’s discoveries and observations provide valuable insights into the geographical and social landscapes of the time, highlighting the early stages of Australian colonization and the ongoing impact of European exploration on indigenous communities.
Facts:
- The explorer Richard Cunningham was murdered by Aboriginal tribes during an earlier expedition in the same region. (page 28)
- Bultje is a well-known and useful Aboriginal guide, who has managed to survive encounters with both indigenous and European communities. (page 20)
- Sheep stations are gradually encroaching upon cattle runs, as sheep can survive on poorer quality grazing land, displacing cattle. (page 19)
- The Bogan River has its sources in comparatively low hills, rather than in the higher ranges as previously believed. (page 21)
- The Bogan River is prone to high floods due to heavy rains, which can make it difficult to travel across. (page 23)
- The Bogan tribe has been decimated by conflict with the Macquarie tribe and the Darling tribe. (page 31)
- The Darling River is a key source of sustenance for Aboriginal tribes, providing food and water. (page 23)
- Cattle are vulnerable to Aboriginal raids in times of high flood, making them easy targets due to the soft ground. (page 23)
- Squatters do not necessarily “discover” new areas of land as they are often using areas previously inhabited by Aboriginal communities. (page 23)
- The Bogan River changes direction from N.W. to North at Mudà. (page 24)
- The Bogan River is faster flowing than other rivers in Australia, with a recorded velocity of 4 miles per hour during a flood. (page 24)
- The Acacia pendula is a tree that grows on clay soils in the vicinity of rivers that flood. (page 19)
- The Atriplex hagnoides is a saltbush plant that thrives in the region and is beneficial for cattle. (page 20)
- The saltbush is considered a valuable source of salt for cattle and prevents them from licking clay, which can be detrimental to their health. (page 53)
- The Burr plant (Calotis cuneifolia) is a common weed in Australia that can cause problems for the wool industry due to its hooked seeds. (page 29)
- The Quandang bush (Fusanus acuminatus) is a plant that grows on the lower slopes of hills in Australia. (page 105)
- The Mooni ponds are a chain of ponds that feed the Narran River. (page 84)
- The Narran River joins the Balonne River to the north-west. (page 84)
- The Balonne River flows towards the Gulf of Carpentaria. (page 94)
- The Culgoa River is a tributary of the Balonne River. (page 98)
- The Maran River is a tributary of the Balonne River, and its bed is often dry. (page 120)
- The Cogoon River is a tributary of the Balonne River, flowing from the west-southwest. (page 136)
- The Warrego River is a tributary of the Balonne River, flowing from the west. (page 142)
- The Victoria River is a tributary of the Balonne River, flowing from the west. (page 145)
- The Salvator River is a tributary of the Balonne River, flowing from the west-southwest. (page 146)
- The Claude River is a tributary of the Balonne River, flowing from the west. (page 151)
- The Belyando River is a tributary of the Balonne River, flowing from the south-southwest. (page 153)
- The Amby River is a tributary of the Balonne River, flowing from the southwest. (page 158)
- The Nive River is a tributary of the Balonne River, flowing from the northwest. (page 161)
Statistics:
- The expedition traveled over 1,500 miles (2,414 km). (page 12)
- The expedition lasted over a year. (page 12)
- The Bogan River drops 206 feet over 50 miles. (page 24)
- The Bogan River drops 50 feet over 100 miles. (page 24)
- The Bogan River’s velocity during a flood in 1833 was four miles per hour. (page 24)
- The expedition traveled 16½ miles (26.56 km) in one day. (page 86)
- The expedition traveled 19 miles (30.58 km) in one day. (page 58)
- The expedition traveled 25 miles (40.23 km) in one day. (page 100)
- The expedition traveled 26 miles (41.84 km) in one day. (page 137)
- The expedition traveled 30 miles (48.28 km) in one day. (page 90)
- The expedition traveled 35 miles (56.33 km) in one day. (page 84)
- The expedition traveled 11 miles (17.7 km) in one day. (page 95)
- The expedition traveled 12 miles (19.31 km) in one day. (page 88)
- The expedition traveled 15 miles (24.14 km) in one day. (page 82)
- The expedition traveled 66 miles (106.21 km) in one day. (page 41)
- The expedition traveled 13 miles (20.92 km) in one day. (page 76)
- The expedition traveled 10 miles (16.09 km) in one day. (page 107)
- The expedition traveled 22 miles (35.41 km) in one day. (page 104)
- The expedition traveled 24 miles (38.62 km) in one day. (page 109)
- The expedition traveled 24 miles (38.62 km) in one day. (page 385)
Terms:
- Squatting: The practice of occupying and utilizing land for pastoral purposes without formal ownership or title.
- Brigalow: A type of dense, thorny scrub common in the interior of Australia, often forming an impenetrable barrier.
- Ana-branch: A branch of a river that separates from the main channel but rejoins it later.
- Tributary: A smaller river or stream that flows into a larger river.
- Synclinal: A downward fold in rock strata.
- Anticlinal: An upward fold in rock strata.
- Conglomerate: A type of sedimentary rock made up of rounded fragments of other rocks cemented together.
- Felspar: A type of mineral commonly found in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
- Conglomerate: A type of sedimentary rock made up of rounded fragments of other rocks cemented together.
- Ferruginous: Containing iron.
Examples:
- Bultje: Bultje is an Aboriginal guide who has survived despite being caught between hostile indigenous tribes and European colonists. He is known for his wisdom and laconic manner.
- The Bogan tribe: The Bogan tribe provides a tragic example of the impact of European settlement on indigenous communities. Their peaceful existence is disrupted by the arrival of squatters and cattle, leading to conflict and decimation of their tribe.
- The Saltbush: The saltbush is an example of the resilience of native plants in the Australian interior, providing a source of salt for cattle and preventing them from damaging the land by licking clay.
- The Burr Plant: The Burr plant is an example of how the natural world can impact human activities. Its hooked seeds can cause significant problems for the wool industry, leading to the need for labor-intensive solutions.
- The Narran River: The Narran River demonstrates the complex river systems of the interior, where water may be plentiful in one area and scarce in another, highlighting the importance of careful exploration and navigation.
- The Balonne River: The Balonne River provides an example of the richness of the Australian interior, with its diverse flora and fauna, including a range of fish species, ducks, emus, and kangaroos.
- The Bottle Tree (Delabechea): The Bottle Tree is a striking example of the unique flora of Australia, with its unusual barrel-shaped trunk and ability to provide sustenance to those in need.
- The “Flash Mob” Convicts: The “Flash Mob” convicts demonstrate the challenges of working with convicts on an expedition. Their criminal backgrounds and disregard for rules require strict monitoring and a distinct separation from the more well-behaved members of the expedition.
- Yuranigh: Yuranigh is a valuable Aboriginal guide and interpreter. He demonstrates his intelligence and loyalty to Mitchell, despite his aversion to returning to his traditional life in the woods.
- The Indigenous Tribes: The various Indigenous tribes encountered on the expedition provide examples of their different cultures, traditions, and responses to European colonization.
- The Victoria River: The Victoria River is a key geographical discovery of the expedition, revealing a vast and open country with potential for settlement and further exploration.
Conclusion:
Sir Thomas Mitchell’s journey through the interior of tropical Australia provides a fascinating account of exploration, landscape, and the complexities of cultural encounters. His observations highlight the unique challenges of navigating the harsh Australian interior and the crucial role of water for survival. Mitchell’s encounters with indigenous Australians emphasize the impact of European colonization and the importance of respect and understanding between different cultures. The expedition’s discoveries, including the Balonne River, its tributaries, and the Victoria River, contribute significantly to the understanding of Australia’s geography and reveal a vast and diverse landscape. Mitchell’s journal serves as a valuable resource for understanding the early stages of Australian exploration and its lasting effects on the environment and its indigenous inhabitants.