Ludwig Leichhardt

author

Ludwig Leichhardt

1813–1848

A Prussian-born explorer and naturalist, he became one of the most talked-about figures in early Australian exploration after an epic overland journey—and an even more famous disappearance.

1 Audiobook

Journal of an Overland Expedition in Australia From Moreton Bay to Port Essington, a distance of upwards of 3000 miles, during the years 1844-1845

Journal of an Overland Expedition in Australia From Moreton Bay to Port Essington, a distance of upwards of 3000 miles, during the years 1844-1845

by Ludwig Leichhardt

About the author

Born in Trebatsch, Prussia, in 1813, Ludwig Leichhardt studied natural sciences in Europe before arriving in Sydney in 1842. He built a reputation as a careful observer of plants, animals, and landscape, combining the curiosity of a scientist with the stamina of an explorer.

He is best known for leading a major expedition from the Darling Downs to Port Essington in 1844–45, a journey of nearly 5,000 kilometers through northern Australia. The achievement made him widely admired, and his published journal helped fix his place in the story of Australian exploration.

In 1848, Leichhardt set out again, hoping to cross the continent from east to west, but he and his party vanished without a confirmed trace. That mystery kept his name alive for generations, turning him into both a historical figure and a legend.