Australia Twice Traversed

by Ernest Giles

William Ernest Powell Giles (1835-1897), best known as Ernest Giles, was an Australian explorer who led three major expeditions in central Australia. He did not attempt a regular exploring expedition until 1872, when with two other men he left Chambers pillar, South Australia (now in the Northern Territory), and traversed much previously untrodden country to the north-west and west. He made a fresh start on 4 August 1873 and was the first European to see the rock formations of The Olgas. Early in 1875 he prepared his diaries for publication under the title Geographic Travels in Central Australia, and on 13 March 1875, with the generous help of Sir Thomas Elder, he began his third expedition. In 1880 he published The Journal of a Forgotten Expedition, being an account of his third expedition, and in 1889 appeared Australia Twice Traversed. He was given the gold medal of the Royal Geographical Society in 1880.

Genres: History, Australia, Travel

Paperback

First published January 1, 1889

Reviews

[Warwick Teasdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A difficult book to read at times as Giles includes so much detail, even down to each variety of tree he passes on a day of travel. He also likes to add a poem and makes great use of his knowledge of ancient history.
Despite the tedious parts, his detailed recording of his travels gives a great insight into the huge difficulties faced by these early explorers trying to open up the country. He and his team could easily have perished on a number of occasions as they were never certain where they would next find water.
His attitude towards the native inhabitants is a sad reflection of what would have been the then attitude.

[Sammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not for everyone, but a really absorbing story of Australia's early explorers. Giles gave his all to "discovering" the wilderness of Australia, and never really got truly rewarded for his troubles. 130+ years on, his writings capture a time of opportunity and longing, of man's desire for open space and discovery, and also for the bonds that form between old and young, white and black, despite social pressures. It's not perfect, and nor was Giles, but it's another important text in the country's development.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting read about the first explorers to Aus and what happened to them, many of them did not survive their expeditions.