Australia Philately: 2012 Inland Explorers - $1.20 Overland Crossing 1861-1862

Some 50 years later, Stuart became the fi rst European to make the south–north return crossing of Australia. He left South Australia with his nine companions in October 1861, on his third attempt to cross the continent, reaching the coast at Van Diemen Gulf on 24 July 1862. Stuart raised the flag the following day, after fi rst attempting to find the mouth of the Adelaide River. Turning south, the party made Adelaide on 17 December that year. Stuart’s success has been attributed to his experience, his egalitarian leadership style and his lighter method of travel. His expedition eventually led to the Adelaide–Darwin telegraph, (enabling telegraphic communication with the world) and the Stuart Highway.