Leichhardt Tree, Taroom, QLD - Australian Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

Ludwig Leichhardt was leading an expedition from Jimbour on the Darling Downs to Port Essington on Australia's northeast coast when they passed through what is now the town of Taroom. He blazed his initials & the year (LL 1844) on the tree, a Coolabah. The blaze which was still visible in the 1970's has since disappeared, having been grown over by bark.

The plaque outlining the blaze & the expedition is at the base of the tree which is heritage protected & situated in the main street of Taroom.

The plaque is worded:

"Leichhardt Tree Taroom Coolabah Eucalyptus coolabah

In 1844 explorer Ludwig Leichhardt and his team set out from Jimbour on the Darling Downs for Port Essington on Australia's northern coast near present day Darwin. John Gilbert, an ornithologist, was second-in -command.

They passed through what is now Taroom Shire, tracking east of the present town of Wandoan then north to the site of Taroom. This expedition discovered and named numerous geographical features in Taroom Shire including the Dawson River, which was crossed nearby before moving onto Lake Murphy. The party then headed northwest out of the shire through rugged sandstone ranges. This expedition led to the opening up of additional large tracts of Queensland to European settlement.

Leichhardt blazed his initials as a trail marker on a number of trees during his expedition. This coolabah tree was marked on 13 November 1844 however the letters are no longer visible having since grown over.

The tree is now a living monument to Australian exploration and the pioneering spirit".

Age/Event Date: 13 November 1844 Type of Historic Marker: Plaque only Related Website: [Web Link] Historic Resources.: Type of Historic Marker if other: Not listed

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