Burke and Wills Dig Tree, Colonial expedition site at Cooper Creek, Queensland, Australia.
The Burke and Wills Dig Tree is a Coolibah tree on the northern bank of Cooper Creek with carved messages cut into its trunk. The site sits in a park with walking paths and display panels that explain the explorers' journey and what brought them to this remote location.
The tree was marked in 1860 by William Brahe, an expedition member who left supplies at this location. The carved messages served as vital communication for explorers trying to navigate Australia's remote interior.
The carved inscriptions show how explorers left messages when they needed to communicate across vast distances. These markings reveal the resourcefulness of people trying to survive in unfamiliar land without modern tools.
The site is well marked and easy to walk around on your own, with parking near the entrance. Visit during cooler months when temperatures are more comfortable for exploring the area.
A nearby tree called the Face Tree holds a carved portrait of Burke that was added years later as a tribute. It shows how people who came after the explorers wanted to honor their memory.
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