The Sixth Expedition
Stuart's sixth expedition was officially launched at James Chambers' home at North Adelaide on 23 October 1861. Their first stop, before the had reached the town of Gawler, was forced by the trouble with their horses. One reared, striking Stuart's temple with its hoof, rendering him unconscious then trampling his right hand, dislocating two joints and tearing flesh and nail from the first finger. At first it was feared amputation would be necessary, but Stuart and Waterhouse were able to catch up with the rest of the party at Moolooloo (one of the Chambers brothers' stations) five weeks later. However they did not leave Chambers Creek until 8 January 1862, numbering 10 men and 71 horses. Benjamin Head, veteran of the fourth and fifth expeditions was still too ill to accompany them. The party made good time to Newcastle Waters, reaching that point on 5 April, and experiencing conflict with the local Aborigines once again. Here they rested for a week before Stuart led a scouting party north, finding good water for the main body to move up to. The next stage, however, proved more difficult. Five times Stuart and his scouts tried to find a route towards Victoria River without success. Finally he headed north rather than north-west and was rewarded with a series of small waterholes leading to Daly Waters, about 150 kilometres north of Newcastle Waters.
Stuart made one last attempt to reach Victoria River before continuing north into the Top End. On 9 June he reached a territory that had already been mapped and 1 July the Mary River. Finally, on 24 July 1862 Stuart reached the beach at Chambers Bay (east of present day Darwin).
- Members of John McDouall Stuart's 1861-1862 Expedition Party
The ten successful members of the party are listed here with their age on the day of the expedition's departure from North Adelaide.
| Born | Died | Grave | Notes | |||
| John William Billiatt | 19 years, 1 month | 1842 | 1919 (1920) (aged 77) | Devon | Cousin of King. | |
| Stephen King jr | 19 years, 10 months | 1841 | 1915 (1916) (aged 74) | Nailsworth | ||
| James Frew jr | 21 years, 4 days | 1840 | 1877 (1878) (aged 37) | West Tce | ||
| William Patrick Auld | Assistant | 21 years, 5 months | 1840 | 1912 (1913) (aged 72) | West Tce | |
| John McGorrery | Shoeing Smith | 21 years, 9 months | 1840 | 1914 (1915) (aged 74) | West Tce | |
| Heath Nash | 23 years, 1 month | 1838 | 1913 (1914) (aged 75) | Payneham | ||
| Francis William Thring | Third Officer | 24 years, 5 months | 1837 | 1908 (1909) (aged 71) | West Tce | |
| William Darton Kekwick | Second in Command | 38 years, 10 months | 1822 | 1872 (1873) (aged 50) | Blinman | |
| John McDouall Stuart | Commander | 46 years, 1 month | 1815 | 1866 (1867) (aged 51) | London | |
| Frederick George Waterhouse | Naturalist | 46 years, 2 months | 1815 | 1898 (1899) (aged 83) | Magill |
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