22
Leichhardt's 1844-45 route
VII
INTO THE VALLEY
OF LAGOONS
April 1845
By late autumn 1845 they were battling their
way north-west along the rocky edge of the
Burdekin River, past today’s Charters Towers,
where they encountered a valley that had
recently received heavy rains. It was aptly
named Valley of Lagoons. Despite their earlier
hardships this interlude lifted their spirits and
they described the grassed river flats as
'the
most beautiful country'
. The expeditioners
worked, ate and slept reasonably well during
this period. Sunrise and sunset colours were
dramatic. Just prior to entering the valley they
made Campsite No. 118 on 12 April 1845
and named it
‘Campsite of The Three Rocks’
on account of basalt on the western bank,
a limestone outcrop across the river and a
granite bank to the east.
120 x 80 cm
oil on board
2013
