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Background
2007 will mark 162 years since Ludwig Leichhardt and his party of explorers passed through North Queensland, having  departed Jimbour station on the Darling Downs in SE Queensland on 1st October 1844. His journey to Port Victoria settlement on the Coburg Peninsular, North of modern Darwin took 15 months of hardship and privation. Leichhardt's party were the first Europeans to travel overland in North Queensland.
This trek provides an opportunity to authentically retrace part of his route of exploration. The trek may be completed as one or more sections as described below:
Trek Overview
This trek is to retrace the route taken by Ludwig and his party from the headwaters of the mighty Burdekin River across the Great Dividing Range and down the rugged gorges of The Lynd River. He named both rivers for sponsors and benefactors of his expedition. Although some of the Lynd River has been worked for tin, much of the route will be similar to conditions in 1845. We will use many of his campsites, and where possible traverse his actual route. We plan to travel at a similar rate as the original party. Dates are a compromise of his original dates of exploration, as he spent a considerable number of days drying meat and conducting reconnaissance.
We will carry a copy of his journal and his field notes from which we can compare his and our observations of the country.
Section One
"The Land of The Lotus Eaters" named for his description of Aborigines encountered in the vicinity of The Valley of Lagoons.
(8 days) includes transfers from/to Ravenshoe. Route is from Reedy Brook (Bobtail's Last Camp) to Wyoming Station (Camp in the Ranges). A memorial plaque was unveiled on Wyoming station during the trek in 2004,to mark the site of a LL engraved tree, believed to be the site of Leichhardt's camp.
Dates - see Schedule
Section Two
"Search over the Range" named for the chapter in Leichhardt's Journal that covers this area.
(7 days) including transfers to/from Ravenshoe.
This trek will retrace leichhardt's route from "Camp in the Ranges" to " Separation Camp" and then accross the Great Dividing Range onto the headwaters of The Lynd River. (Queens Birthday Camp) The original party saved their remaining sugar to celebrate Queen Victoria's Birthday with a "fat cake" in this camp. The route cuts through a well known freehold grazing property "Minnemolka" with extensive swamps and bird life.
Dates- see Schedule
Section Three
"Descent of the Lynd River" this section follows the Lynd River through rugged gorges and paperbark tree ringed waterholes
(14 days). Including transfers to start and return to Cairns. This section starts at Queens Birthday Camp and finishes at Pinnacle or Arrowroot camp near Torwood Station. We will descend the Lynd River through several gorges and pass large water holes. We may meet the Savannahlander train (how Leichhardt would have wondered about train travel) at Lyndbrook near Lion's Last Camp. Lion was the unfortunate bullock tasked to carry the unyielding load of ammunition. Included, is one night of cabin accommodation in Chillagoe, and an opportunity to visit some Chillagoe attractions as side trips the following day.
Dates- see Schedule
Map by Arrowsmith of Leichhardt's expedition 1844-45 showing the part of his route that is followed by Wilderness Expeditions
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