Burke and Wills Plant Camp, Historic site in Betoota, Queensland, Australia
Burke and Wills Plant Camp is a heritage site near a creek in the Betoota area, where equipment remnants and scarred trees mark the location of an important expedition camp. The place shows physical traces of European exploration across inland Australia during the 1800s.
The site was visited in 1861 by William John Wills during the return journey from the Gulf of Carpentaria, when he conducted astronomical observations here. This marked a turning point in one of the most ambitious attempts to cross inland Australia.
The site represents a crucial moment in Australian exploration history when European expeditions ventured into the continental interior to map new territories.
The location is near Birdsville in the Diamantina Shire region and is reachable by rough tracks that require patience and preparation. Visitors should expect remote conditions and bring adequate water and supplies.
Excavations in 2010 uncovered European artifacts at the creek terminus, confirming the authenticity of this camp location. The findings show how archaeological work can verify historical expedition accounts.
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