Following Burke and Wills

It has been 5 years since I rode from Cairns to Melbourne. Since then I've had some adventures in my kayak but neglected my push bike. I did start another journey with Neil Strohbeck in 2021 but Covid intervened and we returned to Melbourne after cycling to Mildura. 

I recently purchased "Following Burke and Wills Across Australia, a touring guide" by Dave Phoenix. It has inspired me to follow their route north as far as I can. The Burke and Wills route does not always follow roads that didn't exist in 1860 so I will make decisions along the way as to the best way to proceed. 

Burke and Wills Monument in Royal Park

The Victorian Exploring Expedition (VEE) assembled and departed from Royal Park in Melbourne in August 1860. There is a curiously shaped monument near the Macarthur Ave marking the site of their departure. 


Burke and Wills Memorial in Melbourne General Cemetery

There was a statue of Burke and Wills on the corner of Collins and Swanston Sts in the Melbourne CBD. It has been moved into storage during Metro tunnel construction.
Plaque in Queens Park, Moonee Ponds

Marker in Mount Alexander Rd, Moonee Ponds

Camel statue, part of VEE memorial in Queens Park


The expedition's 1st campsite was in Moonee Ponds. There are markers in Queens Park and in the median strip opposite on Mount Alexander Rd. Their 2nd campsite is now covered by the North South runway at Tullamarine Airport.

Day 1

To start my journey Lisa drove me to Clarkefield just north of Sunbury. This allowed me to skip cycling through the city and suburbs. My plan was to pick up Burke and Wills trail at Lancefield. 

Driving across to Clarkefield it was raining intermittently although it cleared as we crossed into the Western suburbs. At the starting point there was a blustery cold wind blowing from the South. Fortunately it provided assistance most of the day. 


After loading the bike and a quick goodbye to Lisa, I was on my way. Just down the road at Monageeta I passed a building that was there in 1860 when Burke & Wills passed through. I arrived at  Lancefield at 11:20 am. The corner shop had a soup and toast special offer - too good to pass up even though it too early for lunch.





Lovely pumpkin soup with cheese toastie 

Burke and Wills camped just outside Lancefield near Musties Bridge. A road renamed Burke and Will Track commences there and makes its way to Mia Mia. I struggled up lots of hills with my heavily loaded bike. The pay off was some wonderful downhills.







Just before Mia Mia at Springs Hills there is marvellous monument celebrating Australia’s 1st powered flight which happened here 1910. The aircraft flew for 7 metres!


I stopped at Mia Mia Recreation Reserve to get pictures of the Burke and Wills markers in the park. While I was there I helped a sheep that had got its head stuck in the wire fence.



After Mia Mia I headed into Heathcote where I found the caravan park and paid for a cabin for the night. A bit over my budget but I was looking forward to a warm shower and a comfy bed after 80 km of hills

Burke and Wills didn’t come here. Their route is now covered by Lake Eppalock. I pick up the trail again down the road at Knowsley.



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