19th-Century Australian Travel Writing
Ernest Giles (1835-1897) explorer, Knight Chevalier of the Crown of Italy, F.R.G.S., London, Gold Medalist of the R.G.S for 1880 and fellow of various European geographical societies, was an explorer and early settler in South Australia and Victoria. In this short account, Giles extoled the virtues of exploration by camel, providing meticulous details of his travel from Adelaide to Perth. This "thoroughly efficient" expedition undertaken in 1875 was instigated and financed by Hon. Sir Thomas Elder in order to force a new route through the southern interior under the 29th parallel to Perth. Giles recorded the difficulties he experienced working with the Afghan cameleers, whose experience with the animals he questioned. This account was later reproduced verbatim in Giles' 1889 Australia Twice Traversed. Giles also authored Geographic Travels in Central Australia (1875).
