With a Massive Inland Lake Torrens

Fine map of Southeastern Australia, illustrrating the British Colonies on the Continent.

The map shows the region shortly before the discovey of gold would create a massive rush of fortunate seekers into the region.

The map shows early Australian overland explorations:

• Oxley - 1817-1818
• Currie - 1823
• Hume - 1824
• Allane 1823, 1825, 1827, 1828 & 1829
• Sturt 1828 and 1830
• Sturt 1840

Lake Torrens

Approximately 35,000 years ago, the lake water was fresh to brackish, but has become increasingly saline since. The traditional owners of the area are the Arabunna peoples to the north, the Kokatha to the west and the Kyuni to the east. The first European to see the lake was Edward Eyre in 1839 who spotted the salt bed from Mount Arden at the head of the Spencer Gulf. Eyre named the lake after Colonel Robert Torrens who was one of the founders of the South Australian colony.