Graeme Clifford · 1985 · overland

Graeme Clifford's 1985 film retells the doomed Victorian Exploring Expedition of 1860. Robert O'Hara Burke and William Wills lead the first crossing of Australia from south to north, setting out from Melbourne with camels and horses to Menindee and the depot at Cooper Creek, then striking on through the desert to the tidal mangroves of the Gulf of Carpentaria. They turn back exhausted, only to stagger into Cooper Creek hours after the relief party has given them up and gone. Burke and Wills die there in the wilderness; of the four who reached the Gulf, only King survives, kept alive by the Yandruwandha people.

1. 1
   Melbourne

   In August 1860 the Victorian Exploring Expedition sets out from Melbourne, lavishly equipped with camels and horses, to cross the continent from south to north.

2. 2
   Menindee

   The party reaches Menindee on the Darling, where delays and quarrels split the expedition and Burke pushes recklessly ahead of his supplies.

3. 3
   Cooper Creek

   At Cooper Creek they build a depot and wait; impatient, Burke, Wills, King and Gray strike out for the Gulf, leaving the rest to hold the camp.

4. 4
   The Gulf of Carpentaria

   After weeks in the desert they reach the tidal channels near the Gulf, so choked with mangroves they never quite see open sea, and turn for home.

5. 5
   Cooper Creek

   They stagger back to Cooper Creek hours after the relief party has abandoned the depot; Burke and Wills die here, and only King lives, saved by the Yandruwandha.