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Howitt`s Depot CairnPrint Page
The Howitt`s Depot cairn commemorates the site where Alfred Howitt camped in 1861 in his search for the missing explorers Burke and Wills.
It was in this region of the Cooper Creek that the bodies of the missing explorers were discovered, after their ill-fated south to north crossing of the continent in 1860-61. Despite being lavishly equipped, the Burke and Wills expedition foundered through bad luck and rash leadership.
The expedition leaders, Robert O'Hara Burke and William John Wills, both died beside the Cooper Creek. Eighteen year old John King was the sole survivor of the party that had reached the Gulf of Carpentaria. He was supported by local Aboriginal people, who provided food and shelter. King was eventually discovered by the search party led by Alfred Howitt, who also found and buried the bodies of Burke and Wills.
Location
Address: | Eastern bank of Cullyamurra Waterhole, Innamincka, 5731 |
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State: | SA |
Area: | AUS |
GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -27.704021 Long: 140.861794 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
Monument Type: | Monument |
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Monument Theme: | Landscape |
Sub-Theme: | Exploration |
Dedication
Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Wednesday 1st January, 1941 |
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HOWITT`S DEPOT.
Here In September 1861
ALFRED HOWITT CAMPED
While Searching For The Explorers
BURKE & WILLS.
This Cairn Was Erected By Ted Conrick
At The Expense Of Donald Mackay
1st January 1941.