Centre-ville, Burke and Wills Monument

The Burke and Wills Monument in Melbourne commemorates the Victorian Exploratory Expedition's disasterous attempt to cross Australia from south to north. The Expedition commanded by Robert O'Hara Burke, left Melbourne in August 1860. At Coopers Creek, Burke took William Wills, Charles Gray and John King on a 'dash into the interior (to) cross the continent'. They reached the Gulf of Carpentaria in February 1861, but only King survived the return journey by virtue of assistance from Aborigines. This was Melbournes first public monument to Victoria's first heroes, and the first major sculpture conceived and entirely executed in Australia. It was originally erected at the intersection of Collins and Russell Streets in 1865.