Burke, Robert O'Hara

Burke, Robert O'Hara (1820-61), explorer, b. St. Clerans, Co. Galway, Ireland.

After serving in the Austrian army and the Irish police force, Robert Burke emigrated to Australia in 1853.

He became an inspector in the Police but in 1860 set out to explore the unknown interior of Australia with William Wills.

They made the first crossing of Australia from south to north, travelling from Melbourne through Cooper's Creek (South Australia) to the Gulf of Carpentaria.

On the way back the expedition ran into difficulties, and Burke and Wills died of starvation. Their bodies were recovered and they are buried together in Melbourne Cemetery.

Their grave is marked by a monument including a statue of Burke 4 meters (13 feet) tall.

See Alan Moorehead Cooper's Creek