Across the Centre: John McDouall Stuart’s Expeditions 1860-62

Exploration Extracts from Stuart’s diaries. Follows in the footsteps of the first white explorer to successfully traverse Australia’s barren centre to reach the northern coast.xi, 151 p. : col. ill., map, port. ; 29 cm. #0921Stuart, John McDouall, 1815-1866 — Diaries. | Stokes, Edward, 1948- — Journeys — Australia. | Explorers — Australia — Diaries. | Australia, Central — Discovery and exploration. | South Australia — Discovery and exploration. | Northern Territory — Discovery and exploration. | Australia, Eastern — Description and travel — 1990-
John McDouall Stuart (7 September 1815 – 5 June 1866), often referred to as simply “McDouall Stuart”, was a Scottish explorer and one of the most accomplished of all Australia’s inland explorers.

Stuart led the first successful expedition to traverse the Australian mainland from south to north and return, through the centre of the continent. His experience and the care he showed for his team ensured he never lost a man, despite the harshness of the country he encountered.

The explorations of Stuart eventually resulted in the 1863 annexation of a huge area of country to the Government of South Australia. This area became known as the Northern Territory. In 1911 the Commonwealth of Australia assumed responsibility for that area. In 1871–72 the Australian Overland Telegraph Line was constructed along Stuart’s route. The principal road from Port Augusta to Darwin was also established essentially on his route and was in 1942 named the Stuart Highway in his honour, following a recommendation by Governor-General Gowrie.