Overland Expedition in Australia, 1844-1845

LEICHHARDT, Dr. Ludwig: 'Journal of an Overland Expedition in Australia, from Moreton Bay to Port Essington, a distance of upwards of 3000 miles, during the years 1844-1845.' [Boone, London, 1847; first edition]; with seven engravings including the frontispiece and several fine woodcuts in the text; original green cloth binding, and eight pages of advertisements., In the course of their harrowing journey, Leichhardt and his party traversed over three thousand miles of completely unknown country in fourteen months, opening up a vast and valuable area of the interior. By the time they arrived in Port Essington it was believed that they had perished and expeditions had been sent out in search of them. This journey of exploration was one of the longest inland expeditions undertaken and the land discovered was considered the most valuable pasture on the continent. Leichhardt was welcomed to Port Essington as a national hero and on his return to Sydney in March 1846, was lionised and feted by Sydney society.