State Library of South Australia

Dig Tree [B 7923] • Photograph

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Summary

'Dig Tree' at the Burke and Wills Depot Camp 65 on Nappa Merrie station in Queensland, near Depot Creek, a contributary of the Cooper Creek. The word 'Dig' is carved into the tree to signify where William Brahe buried supplies nearby. Brahe's stockade can be seen behind the Dig Tree, somewhat the worse for wear after the large floods on Cooper Creek in 1906. The tree is estimated to be about 250 years old. There has been confusion over the naming of the various explorers' trees on the Cooper until Charles Fenner of the Royal Geographical Society of Australia (SA Branch) published 'Two Historic Gum Trees on Cooper's Creek' in 1928. The 'Dig Tree' has often been confused with 'Burke's Tree', where Burke's strength failed him on his return to Adelaide in 1861. Burke died and was buried beneath the tree (see photograph B 351), which is also located on Cooper Creek, a short distance downstream in South Australia, on Innamincka Station. Robert O'Hara Burke was selected by ballot to lead the expedition although he had no experience in exploration or bushcraft.

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Physical description

1 photograph : black and white ; 9.9 x 7.4 cm

Dates / Publication details

Approximately 1915

Collection

Part of General Collection

Subject

Burke and Wills Expedition (1860-1861)
Historic trees -- Queensland -- Nappa Merrie
Historic sites -- Queensland -- Nappa Merrie

Catalogue record

Return to catalogue

Digitisation information

Date

10/11/2005

Format

image/tiff

Resolution

3,180 x 2,361 pixels (7.5 MP)

Size

7.54 MB

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