Journal of the Central Australian Exploring Expedition, 1889 (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from Journal of the Central Australian Exploring Expedition, 1889

Wednesday, March 20th.-i returned to the main camp at Painta Springs. Having now abandoned the idea of penetrating the ranges to the southward, I started the following day (2lst) to examine the different gorges and inlets of the range, with the hope of finding a watering-place west of the Paiute. Travelled north westerly for two days without making any discoveries of water that would be of any service. I was now forty miles west of my main camp, so started to return. It appears evident that I shall not find the travelling here by any means easy.

Saturday, March 23rd. - Camp No. 2, Painta Spring. Bar. 27°680in., ther. 58° - The morning broke bright and clear though there are still some rain clouds to the sw. The evening was cold, and I had to get up during the night to renew the fire: it is the first time this season that we have cared to be near the fire at night The packs having been all rearranged and weighed we cleared away from the Painta Spring at 1045, taking a N. 85° W. Course along the foot of the range. The travelling is simply perfect, level as a bowling green, the weather delightfully cool, so we kept steadily on till dusk when we camped, having travelled eighteen miles. The largest camel that I have, and the one that has caused so much delay and trouble ever since I left the Peaks, lay down several times during the day, and by continually break ing his nose rope, caused much loss of time. Kangaroos, wallabies, crows, and crested pigeons seen to day. Travelled about seventeen miles over level ground on the Burt Plain. Timber. Principally bloodwood and mulga, and also noticed a few native orange trees (capparis).

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