Tietkens expedition of 1889

It covered territory west of Alice Springs to the vicinity of the Western Australian border.

The South Australian branch of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia was instrumental in mounting the expedition and appointing Tietkens as leader.

The caravan consisted of twelve camels, sufficient to carry the expedition members, provisions for up to four months and water for a lesser period.

[2] The expedition collected new species of plants and rock samples allowing the South Australian government geologist to compile a 'geological sketch' of the country traversed.

Specimens of 250 plant species were collected, although only 8 were new to science,[3] and in 1890, Ferdinand von Mueller and Ralph Tate named Eremophila tietkensii in his honour.