Compass Expeditions’ Burke & Wills Karumba-bound 16-day 4WD adventure

EFKM8F BURKE AND WILLS EXPEDITION Contemporary engraving by Nicholas Chevalier showing Burke, Wills and King returning from the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia, in 1861
By Grant Jones


Compass Expeditions has announced its new Burke & Wills four-wheel drive adventure departing Melbourne in July next year and arriving in Karumba 16 days later.

The itinerary follows as closely as possible the path of Robert O’Hara Burke, William John Wills, John King and Charles Gray when they departed Melbourne on 20 August, 1860 bound for the Gulf of Carpentaria through the vast interior.

They and their 27-strong camel train became the first Europeans to cross Australia south to north when they reached the Gulf of Carpentaria in February 1861. Guests will travel a similar distance in the comfort of modern 4WDs.

The death of Burke, Wills and Charles Gray during their return led the expedition to be mythologised in Australian culture as a heroic failure. It ultimately prompted the discovery of vast grazing lands, enabling further European settlement of the interior.

Burke and Wills. Image: National Museum Australia. MA68647518

I hope we shall be done justice by. We fulfilled our task but we were … not followed up as I expected and the Depot party abandoned their post … King has behaved nobly and I hope he will be properly cared for.

Robert O’Hara Burke, Cooper Creek, 26 June 1861

The expedition, one of the most expensive in Australian history, was led by Burke, an Irishman with no exploration experience or skills in surveying or navigation. According to the National Museum Australia, it was lavishly equipped with items including 50 gallons of rum to revive tired, and an oak table.

The expedition’s departure from Royal Park, Melbourne on 20 August 1860 was a public spectacle watched by about 15,000 people.

This iconic yet ultimately doomed expedition is now forever etched into the folklore of Australia and Compass Expeditions are thrilled to offer this 4WD expedition to both Australians and overseas clients who want to experience the legendary outback from the comfort of a 4WD and hotel accommodation each night.

“The expedition is a journey through the pages of Australian history,” Compass director Jerry Cook said. “It’s possibly the most iconic Australian journey there is.”

Any agents who would like training on Compass Expeditions can contact Evolution Travel Collective that provides tailored B2B services that specialise in cost-effective representation for travel brands.

The doomed Burke and Wills expedition sets off from Melbourne. Image: National Museum Australia. MA68647629

Latest News

  • Aviation

Delta marks 15 years of travel to Australia on US Independence Day

This July marks 15 years since Delta Air Lines began flying between Sydney and Los Angeles. To mark the occasion, Delta Air Lines had a small activation at their check in counter at Sydney Airport on Thursday July 4 – Independence Day in the US. Passengers were greeted with red, white and blue balloons as […]

  • Events
  • Health & Wellness

Boxing camp with world champion boxers at COMO Uma Canggu

COMO Uma Canggu has invited boxing enthusiasts to an intensive six-day boxing camp, led by world champion boxers Darren Barker and Ryan Pickard, this October. Participants will master the fundamentals of boxing, improve their self-defence skills, and transform their fitness regimen. Under the expert guidance of world-class boxers, attendees will undergo a variety of workouts […]

  • Cruise

Travelmarvel unveils its Europe Coastal Cruising 2025 lineup

Travelmarvel has revealed its 2025 Europe Coastal Cruising program and introduces 13 itineraries that include two extended combination journeys. The MS Caledonian Sky also makes its grand return the APT family. Renowned for its intimate cruising experience, the vessel accommodates an average of 100 passengers with a crew of 70. It features one of the highest […]

  • Tour Operators

Anderson’s Tours named top experience in Australia

Anderson’s Tours has, for the second time, achieved the top spot as the No. 1 Experience in Australia at TripAdvisors Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best 2024. The family-owned and operated touring company takes pride in showcasing the breathtaking landscapes of the UNESCO World Heritage Blue Mountains and provide guests with professional, local tour […]

  • Destinations

Queenstown welcomes fresh snow dump for school holidays

The spectacular mountains of Queenstown, New Zealand, have been blanketed by snow – as much as 50cm in 48 hours – providing the perfect winter vacation for the entire family. All four of the region’s ski areas are now open with The Remarkables having recorded 70cm of snow already this season while Cardrona Alpine Resort […]

  • Hotels

Sheraton Samoe Aggie Grey’s Hotel and Bungalows’ soft reopening

The Sheraton Hotels & Resorts iconic grand jewel on Apia Harbour, Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel & Bungalows reopen following a multi-million-dollar refurbishment. The property will reopen in a phased manner with 56 of its 175 rooms, suites and bungalows now available for bookings. The grand opening of the hotel is expected to be in […]

  • Technology

Commonwealth Bank offers new Travel Booking service via its app

Commonwealth Bank is offering a new Travel Booking service via its CommBank app, which allows more than 6 million eligible customers to search, book and pay for flights and hotels from hundreds of airlines and hundreds of thousands of hotels. The new CommBank digital experience is powered by global online travel agency Hopper, already used […]

  • Aviation

Lufthansa Group gets green light to take major stake in ITA Airways

The European Commission has approved Lufthansa Group’s proposition to take a 41 per cent stake in ITA Airways following an investigation by EU antitrust regulators. The deal which was first announced in May last year will see Lufthansa pay 325 million Euro to take the remaining shares in 2025. Both Lufthansa and ITA have previously […]

  • Aviation

Vietjet’s two new routes to South Korea and China

Vietjet has announced the commencement of two new routes, expanding its network in both South Korea and China. The new routes include Nha Trang-Daegu in South Korea and Ho Chi Minh City-Xi’an in China. The new route connecting Vietnam’s coastal city of Nha Trang with Daegu, a major city located in southeastern South Korea, is […]

  • Destinations

Istanbul in a heartbeat

Istanbul offers an unparalleled blend of history, culture, and... Chaos.

  • Hotels

Angsana to launch first island resort in Vietnam’s Bai Tu Long Bay

Banyan Group’s subsidiary Angsana has announced the opening of Angsana Quan Lan, a 156-room and suite luxury offering with stunning views of the Gulf of Tonkin. Guests can enjoy dining at three distinct venues and unwind at Angsana Spa, as well as the brand’s signature ‘101 Things To Do’ that celebrate Vietnam’s coastal charm. The […]

  • Cruise

Hurtigruten’s SeaZero wins prestigious award

Hurtigruten’s SeaZero project has won the award for Best Concept Ship Design at the prestigious Electric & Hybrid Marine Awards 2024 at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre. The first rendering of the project was released a year ago with a goal to create the world’s most energy-efficient ship. Announced in 2021, the project is currently […]