| Description |
1 online resource (streaming video file) (46 min. 57 sec.) ; 280193635 bytes |
| Summary |
In this two-part documentary, mountaineer and writer, Dermot Somers, travels from one coast of Australia to another, passing through some of its wildest and most beautiful terrain. Somers tells the story of explorer, Robert O'Hara Burke, the first white man to cross the continent. Shot over three months, First Across Australia follows Burke's entire journey from coast to coast.Robert O'Hara Burke was the leader of the largest land expedition Australia had ever seen, the story of his adventures are both enthralling and scarifying. Although successful in crossing Australia, Burke was critically late getting back to his supply camp in the centre of the continent. He had instructed his companions there to wait three months for him and if he hadn't returned from his 1500 mile round trip by then, they should presume him dead and head for home.Burke's team not only waited the three months, but stayed an additional month before finally giving up hope. On the morning of April 21st, 1861 they abandoned camp and headed south. Just nine hours later, a terminally exhausted Burke and his two surviving companions stumbled into the camp only to find it deserted. Emergency supplies were not enough to save them, with Burke dying of starvation two months later. (Part 1 of 2) (From Ireland) (Documentary) PG CC **Premiere** Follow the conversation on Twitter #SBSdoco |
| Notes |
Closed captioning in English |
| Event |
Broadcast 2015-04-09 at 16:30:00 |
| Notes |
Classification: PG |
| Subject |
Burke, Robert O'Hara, 1821-1861.
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Voyages and travels.
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Burke and Wills Expedition (1860-1861)
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Australia.
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| Form |
Streaming video
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| Author |
Murray, John, director
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Somers, Dermot, host
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Bonyhady, Tim, contributor
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Cathcart, Michael, contributor
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Clarke, Graham, contributor
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Sutton, Mark, contributor
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