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June
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Camels arrive in Melbourne and are paraded through the streets
Burke is appointed leader of the Victorian Exploring Expedition
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July
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Burke interviews hundreds of applicants to join the Expedition
Extensive preparations are made
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August
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All those selected assemble in Royal Park, and begin camping there
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17
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First formal farewell held
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18
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Members of the Expedition sign a Memorandum of Agreement at a Special Meeting of the Exploration Committee at the Royal Society premises
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19 |
Farewell service at St James Church
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20
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Huge crowds witness the Departure from Royal Park
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20-31 |
Expedition moves slowly northwards, camping at or near Moonee Ponds, Bulla, Bolinda Creek, Lancefield, Darlington Station, Mia Mia (2 nights), Knowslay, Campaspe River, Piccaninny Creek Station, Terrick-Terrick Station (2 nights)
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September
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1-10 |
Expedition continues north camping at or near Mt Hope, Kerang (2 nights), Lake Bael Bael, “The Burke and Wills Clump”, Swan Hill (5 nights at Riverside Park)
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11
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Expedition crosses into NSW via punt at Swan Hill and camps on northern bank of the Murray
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12-21 |
Expedition continues through NSW, camping at Speewah, the Wakool near Kyalite, north of Kyalite, Balranald, Lake Paika Station, Tinn Station, Terickencom Outstation, Bookoo, Prungle Outstation
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22
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Burke divides the party because heavy sand is slowing the wagons
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22-25
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Lead party camps at Goowall, Linklinkwho, Gambana, Bollomurtee, Bilbarka
Second party camps at Gallalby, Coles Waterhole, north of Coles Waterhole, Arumpo Station
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26-28
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Both parties rest, lead party at Bilbarka, second party at Arumpo
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29-30
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Burke returns to the second party, helps them move to Gambana and on towards Bilbarka
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October
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2 |
Parties re-unite at Bilbarka
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3-10
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Expedition is camped at Bilbarka
Camels go missing on 5 October and are not found again until 10 October
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11-13
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Expedition progresses along the Darling, camping on the riverside
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14
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Expedition arrives at Menindee
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15
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Landells resigns, Wills becomes second-in-command
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18
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Burke divides the party again
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19-31
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Lead party leaves Menindee and travels North towards the Queensland border, camping at Totoyna, Kokriega, Bilpa, Botoja claypans, Langawirra Gully near Mootwingee, Bengora near Mootwingee, Burke's Lookout at Naudtherungee Creek, Burke's Waterhole at Teltowongee Creek, Wonnaminta Creek, Paldramuta, Torowotto swamp, Altoka, Cannilta Creek
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22
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The Menindee depot party under Hermann Beckler moves to the Depot camp at Pamamaroo
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30
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Burke appoints William Wright, who had joined the Expedition in Menindee, as the Expedition third-in-command; Wright returns to Menindee to take responsibility for organising the Supply Party to follow Burke’s party
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November
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2 |
Burke’s lead party crosses into Queensland
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5 |
William Wright arrives back in Menindee after parting with Burke at Torowotto
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7-10
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Lead party camps at Wrights Creek, McDonoughs Creek, Murrawarra Creek in the Grey Range, Graham Creek
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11-19
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Lead party reaches the Wilson River and follows it to Cooper Creek, camping at various sites including Yetelly, Tookabarnoo, and Yockanoora Waterholes
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20-30
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Lead party are camped at the first Cooper Creek depot camp, Camp 63
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December
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1-4 |
Lead party are camped at the first Cooper Creek depot camp, Camp 63
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5-6
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Lead party moves along Cooper Creek
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6-15
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Lead party are camped at “Fort Wills” depot camp, Camp 65
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16 |
Burke, Wills, Gray and King leave on the “dash for the Gulf”
Burke takes provisions for 3 months; Wills privately tells Brahe he thinks they will take 4 months
The Depot Party remains at the Cooper depot camp under Brahe
Burke’s party crosses from Queensland into South Australia and camps at Cullyamurra Waterhole on Cooper Creek
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17-31
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Burke, Wills, Gray and King travel north, following the Cooper and Diamantina Rivers, camping at Tilcha, Jumper, Moorari, Toonman, Kernacoopinna, Koonchera, Narathella and Stony Crossing Waterholes reaching the Bilpa Morea Claypan
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27 |
Burke’s party crosses back into Queensland near Birdsville
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19
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Hodgkinson leaves Menindee with despatches for the Exploration Committee
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30 |
Hodgkinson arrives in Melbourne with Wright’s despatches
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