AustLit

19th-Century Travel Writing

Sir John Forrest (1847-1918), First Baron Forrest of Bunbury, was a surveyor, explorer and politician and first Premier of Western Australia. Explorations in Australia is the publication of his expedition diaries, and covers his search for Dr. Leichardt and party, his exploration from Perth to Adelaide, and his expedition east from Geraldton across the desert to the telegraph line and south to Adelaide. Written in a conventional explorer diary form, Forrest detailed the date, weather, and journey of his party on their travels. Illustrated by George F. Angas, the work included portraits, drawings of events on the journeys, and maps. It concluded with an appendix of plants, geological specimens, imports, exports, debt and political information about Australia. Forrest also published Notes on Western Australia, with Statistics for the Year 1883 that was later turned into the Western Australian Year Book.