One hundred and fifty years ago today, the Victorian Exploring Expedition, led by Robert O’Hara Burke and his deputy William John Wills, set off from Royal Park amidst great excitement and fanfare.

Organised by the Royal Society of Victoria, the expedition was charged with the task of investigating, documenting and mapping the continent from south to north.

Read about the story of this ill-fated expedition on the Library’s new website Dig: the Burke and Wills Research Gateway.

This website also features:

• a guide to expedition resources in other institutions
• resources for teachers
• ask an expert – the chance to ask David Phoenix questions about Burke and Wills
• caches of historical information and artwork hidden along the route from Fitzroy to Kurumba
• galleries of Burke and Wills images

If  you’re in Melbourne, why not drop into the Library at 328 Swanston Street to see some of the original artworks, documents and objects from the expedition in the Terra Incognita: Burke and Wills exhibition.