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Burke and Wills are remembered for their expedition across Australia, which was one of the largest to ever be undertaken in Australian history - and one of the most tragic.

Robert O'Hara Burke, with William Wills appointed second-in-command, led the 1860-61 expedition to try to cross Australia from Melbourne in the south to the Gulf of Carpentaria in the north - and back again. Their party was very well equipped and, because of its size, was split at Menindee so that Burke could race ahead to the Gulf of Carpentaria with a smaller group. Part of this smaller group established a depot at Cooper Creek to stock provisions for when the explorers returned from the Gulf. Burke chose the wrong tim,e of year to make the push for the north, leaving in December 1860 - Australia's summer. He took with him Wills, Charles Gray and John King.

The expedition to the Gulf took much longer than Burke expected: when he returned to Cooper Creek, he found that the relief party had left just seven hours earlier, which was actually less than how much time it had taken to bury Gray, who had died on the return journey. Through poor judgement, lack of observation and a series of miscommunications, Burke and Wills never met up with the relief party. They perished on the banks of Cooper Creek. King alone survived to lead the rescue party to the remains of Burke and Wills, and the failure of one of the most elaborately planned expeditions in Australia's history.

There are numerous memorials to Burke and Wills in Victoria, the state that commissioned the expedition. A large statue of the two men stands in Swanston Street in Melbourne. In addition, there are memorials at the Mechanics Institute in Fryerstown; at Back Creek Cemetery in Bendigo; the Explorers Fountain at Ballarat; and the Explorers Memorial in Swan Hill.

Other places by which Burke and Wills are remembered can be found in Queensland because Robert O'Hara Burke and William Wills were the first to travel through western and northern Queensland. Places named after them in that part of Queensland are

  • Burketown
  • Burke River
  • O'Hara's Gap in the Selwyn Ranges

Burke and Wills were both from Victoria, so there are numerous sites around the state commemorating the two men.

  • Burke Museum, Beechworth (where Burke was Superintendent of Police for some time) and a monument to Burke in Castlemaine, where he was also Superintendent
  • A monumental bronze statue, currently in the centre of Melbourne, but which has previously been in various other locations around Melbourne
  • A memorial cairn in Melbourne's Royal Park, the point of Burke and Wills' departure
  • A monument in the main Bendigo Cemetery
  • The Dig Tree, the Burke Tree and other monuments at Cooper Creek, where the men spent their final weeks awaiting rescue
  • A huge memorial in Melbourne General Cemetery
  • The Victorian electorate of Wills is named after William Wills.

In addition:

The Haast Pass area of New Zealand was being explored about the time of the searches for Burke and Wills. Julius von Haast named several features after them, There is the Burke River, and the Wills River, both extraordinarily different from the country of their patronym's exploration country.

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Q: How are Burke and Wills remembered?
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Continue Learning about General History

How did Burke and wills marry?

They didn't.


When did Burke and wills arrive at the Gulf of Carpentaria?

Burke and Wills reached the tidal flats of the Gulf of Carpentaria on 11 February 1861.


Were Burke and Wills friends before the journey?

No. Burke and Wills did not know each other before being appointed their positions in the exploration to cross the continent.


Did Burke and Wills meet aborigines?

Yes. Explorers Burke and Wills did meet Aborigines. Initially,the indigenous people tried to assist the explorers by feeding them. However, Burke became suspicious of the Aborigines and fearful that they were stealing supplies, so he frightened them off with gunshots. As a result, the indigenous people abandoned Burke and Wills, although they did keep John King alive.


What is named after Burke and Wills?

Because Robert O'Hara Burke and William Wills were the first to travel through western and northern Queensland, there are several places named after them in that part of Queensland.BurketownBurke RiverO'Hara's Gap in the Selwyn RangesBurke and Wills were both from Victoria, so there are numerous sites around the state commemorating the two men.Burke Museum, Beechworth (where Burke was Superintendent of Police for some time) and a minument to Burke in Castlemaine, where he was also SuperintendentA monumental bronze statue, currently in the centre of Melbourne, but which has previously been in various other locations around MelbourneA memorial cairn in Melbourne's Royal Park, the point of Burke and Wills' departureA Burke & Wills memorial fountain in Ballarat's main streetA monument in the main Bendigo CemeteryThe Dig Tree, the Burke Tree and other monuments at Cooper Creek, where the men spent their final weeks awaiting rescueA huge memorial in Melbourne General CemeteryThe Victorian electorate of Wills is named after William Wills.In addition:The Haast Pass area of New Zealand was being explored about the time of the searches for Burke and Wills. Julius von Haast named several features after them, There is the Burke River, and the Wills River, both extraordinarily different from the country of their patronym's exploration country.

Related questions

Was Burke wills brother?

No. Explorers Burke and Wills were unrelated.


Where did Burke and Wills travel from?

Burke and Wills travelled from Melbourne, Victoria to the Gulf of Carpentaria.


What year were Burke and wills?

The exploration of Burke and Wills took place in 1860-1861.


What language did Burke and Wills speak?

Australian explorers Burke and Wills spoke English.


What was the name of the country that Burke and wills came from?

Burke came from Ireland, Wills from England


What year did Burke and wills explore?

The Burke and Wills expedition left Melbourne in 1860.


What role did Wills have in the Burke and Wills expedition?

On the Burke and Wills expedition, Wills was initially appointed as third-in-command, surveyor, astronomical and meteorological observer. When George Landells resigned after a dispute with Burke (some sources say Burke fired Landells), Wills was then appointed second-in-command.


What year did Burke and Wills explore Australia?

The Burke and Wills expedition left Melbourne in 1860.


Is Burke and Wills dead?

Thoroughly. Burke and Wills both died in June/July 1861.


What transport did Burke and wills come on?

During Burke and Wills' expedition, they used both horses and camels.


What are the ratings and certificates for Burke and Wills - 2006?

Burke and Wills - 2006 is rated/received certificates of: Australia:MA


Did Burke and Wills cross Simpson Desert?

Burke and Wills crossed through the eastern edge of the Simpson Desert.