John Oxley and Allan Cunningham’s September 1824 Exploration of the Brisbane River
In September 1824, John Oxley and Allan Cunningham explored and surveyed the Brisbane River. Their party arrived at Moreton Bay on 12 September before travelling upriver to examine the surrounding land, waterways and vegetation.
Oxley recorded the river’s direction, depth and suitability for navigation, while Cunningham collected and documented native plants. On 21 September, the party encountered large Araucaria trees growing beside the river. Cunningham identified the tree as a previously unrecorded species and called it the Brisbane pine. It later became widely known as the hoop pine.
The expedition also recorded Aboriginal camps, fishing activities and established communities throughout the region. Oxley’s observations influenced the decision to relocate the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement from Redcliffe to the Brisbane River in 1825.
Edmund Lockyer’s September 1825 Expedition to Moreton Bay
On 1 September 1825, Edmund Lockyer set sail from Sydney aboard the cutter Mermaid to explore the Brisbane River and assess the newly relocated Moreton Bay settlement.
Lockyer’s field journals document the journey north, the conditions experienced by the crew and his observations of the coastline. They also record contact with Aboriginal peoples living along the coast and around Moreton Bay.
After arriving in the region, Lockyer travelled up the Brisbane River and explored areas beyond the settlement. His expedition contributed further information about the river, the surrounding country and the potential for colonial expansion.
Ludwig Leichhardt Prepares for His Expedition to Port Essington in September 1844
During September 1844, Ludwig Leichhardt and his expedition party travelled through the Moreton Bay District and completed preparations for an ambitious overland journey to Port Essington in the Northern Territory.
Four additional members joined the expedition in the Moreton Bay District before the party travelled west to Jimbour Station on the Darling Downs. They formally departed Jimbour on 1 October 1844.
The expedition covered more than 3,000 miles, or approximately 4,800 kilometres. Leichhardt documented the geography, geology, plants, animals and waterways encountered along the route. His journal also records interactions with Aboriginal communities and the considerable challenges faced by the expedition.
After more than a year of travel, the party reached Port Essington on 17 December 1845. Leichhardt’s Journal of an Overland Expedition in Australia provides a detailed account of the journey.
September Bushfoods: Bottlebrush, Native Rosella and Wallum Grass Tree
September marks the beginning of spring in Queensland, bringing flowers and new growth to several native plants traditionally used as sources of food, fibre and other useful materials.
The Bottlebrush (Melaleuca Salicina) begins flowering during spring. Nectar can be sucked directly from its flowers. Its bark was also traditionally used for waterproofing shelters, wrapping food for cooking, bedding, fire-making, fish traps and protection from rain.
The Native Rosella (Hibiscus Heterophyllus) also flowers during spring. Its flowers can be eaten raw or cooked, while its young shoots, leaves and roots are also edible. Fibre from the plant was traditionally used to make dilly bags and hunting nets.
The Wallum Grass Tree (Xanthorrhoea Species) flowers and produces seeds from late winter into spring. Nectar from its flowers can be collected by soaking them in water. The plant also provided edible leaf bases, seeds that could be crushed into flour, material for fire-making and resin used as an adhesive.