Burke and Wills Camp Site

The Environmental Protection Agency has received a request from the Royal Society of Victoria to consider an area in western Queensland – believed to be a Burke and Wills campsite - for inclusion into the Queensland heritage register as a protected area.

Minster for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said the EPA is assessing the historical and cultural value of the site - known as the Burke and Wills Plant Camp - for consideration as a Protected Area under section 103 of the Heritage Act.

“Part of that process is to authenticate the site as the spot where the Burke and Wills expedition left most of their supplies in a vain effort to continue south to meet a support party,” Mr McNamara said.

“The site was first uncovered late last year, and the Royal Society made an expedition to the site in March this year, accompanied by two archaeologists from the EPA.

“Protected areas provide the highest level of protection in the Heritage Act. Permits are required for entry into protected areas, and penalties apply for unauthorised entry.

“Locations like the Burke and Wills Plant Camp site are vulnerable to interference by treasure hunters and enthusiasts.

“The site is located on private property 100 kilometres from Birdsville, and any consideration of declaring it a protected area would need to be done in consultation with the landowner.

“There is currently only one Protected Area in Queensland under the Heritage Act - a shipwreck at Fraser Island in the area between Waddy Point and Orchid Beach.”

Mr McNamara also announced today a grant of $13,000 for the replacement of interpretive panels at the Burke and Wills Dig Tree display at Thargomindah.

The tree marks the site where the expedition’s support party had waited while Burke and Wills set out with a smaller crew to explore northern Australia.

Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004