The MacRobertson Expedition 1928

The theme was to demonstrate the ability of new technology to bridge Australia’s great distances; powerful six wheeled trucks to traverse the road-less outback, wireless radio for transmitting progress reports, cinema projectors to screen footage of their journey in the towns visited along the route and a de Havilland aircraft to maintain contact with the ground party.

Twelve men travelled approximately 13,000 km in two seven ton Karrier trucks, christened ‘Burke’ and ‘Wills’, and an Oldsmobile touring car.

Also accompanying the tour was William’s son Archie Dunkerley; a representative of Shell Oil and the expedition photographer.

Archie had broken the Darwin to Melbourne driving record the previous year, completing the trip in 7 days, 16 hours and 34 minutes in the Oldsmobile that the MacRobertson Expedition took with them in 1928.

[3] Other members included an accountant, a mechanic, a wool classer, a cattle buyer, a surveyor, a wireless operator and a cook.

Members of the Expedition prior to departure from Melbourne, 1928.
MacRobertson in his trademark white coat stands in front of the Karrier trucks outside Parliament House Melbourne, prior to the Expedition's departure, 12 April 1928.
Somewhere in northern Australia, one of the trucks is bogged again.
A postcard from 1928 showing the route of the MacRobertson Expedition, MacRobertson himself, the Karrier trucks, and the de Havilland aircraft that accompanied the tour.