McKinlay’s Journal of Exploration in the Interior of Australia (Burke Relief Expedition.)

Published account of the relief expedition in search for Burke and Wills led by John McKInlay. Bound in original blind-stamped cloth by Detmold, Collins St, Melbourne with their green pasted label at rear. Re-backed spine and the three maps in a separate recent bound folding case. The maps in unusually good condition. First edition, octavo, 136pp, 6 pages of adverts. at rear, adverts pasted to inside front and rear cover.

In August 1861, McKinlay was appointed by the South Australian House of Assembly to lead an expedition in search of the missing Burke and Wills expedition party. He departed Adelaide on August 16, 1861, accompanied by nine companions, 70 sheep, two packhorses, and four camels. On October 20, 1861, they discovered the grave of a European, initially believed to be Charles Gray, near Cooper Creek. However, it was later revealed, through the account of John King, the sole survivor of the Burke and Wills expedition, that Charles Gray had actually passed away north of Cooper Creek, near what is now known as Coongie Lake. The identity of the remains discovered by McKinlay remains a mystery.

McKinlay reported this finding to the government and was subsequently informed that the remains of Robert O’Hara Burke and William John Wills had been located. McKinlay attempted to explore toward Central Mount Stuart but was impeded by heavy rains and flooding. He then decided to head for the Gulf of Carpentaria, in hopes of encountering HMVS Victoria, which had been dispatched to meet Burke’s party. By May 20, 1862, they believed they were close to the Gulf, but the terrain proved challenging. They decided to change course and head eastward towards Port Denison on the north Queensland coast. They reached a station near the Bowen River on August 2, 1862, and, after a brief rest, continued to Port Denison. From there, they returned to Adelaide by sea.

In recognition of his efforts, McKinlay received a £1000 grant from the government and a gold watch from the Royal Geographical Society of England.