P. E. de Strzelecki
1797 – 1873 · geologist · explorer · philanthropist

Paweł EdmundStrzelecki

A man from Greater Poland who crossed half the world and gave Australia's highest peak the name of Kościuszko.

Głuszyna 52.33°N 16.98°E Kosciuszko 36.456°S 148.264°E · 2228 m London 51.51°N 0.13°W Poznań 1997 52.41°N 16.93°E
▶ Watch the film Start the journey Take the quiz
Film · 14 minutes

The Australian journey

Adam Rejman plays Paul Edmund Strzelecki, narrated by Julia Rejman. Click a chapter to watch that part, then follow the same route on the globe and the map below.

  1. 0:00Meet the explorer
  2. 2:59Arrival in Sydney
  3. 4:05Early expeditions
  4. 7:26Gold
  5. 8:43Climbing Mount Kosciuszko
  6. 10:04Gippsland
  7. 12:16Melbourne and Tasmania
  8. 13:28The journey ends

The film gives 15 February 1840, the date Strzelecki wrote in his own report. James Macarthur's field book points to 12 March instead. More in the Disputes section.

As Strzelecki
Adam Rejman
Narrator
Julia Rejman
Site by
Rejman team
I · The globe of a life

Six continents, one life

Press Play to follow the journey step by step. Land legs are gold; sea legs are dashed blue. Hover a point to see a picture, click it to read more. Drag the globe to turn it.

1797
landsea
II · Australia 1839–1843

Four expeditions, four years

Pick an expedition. The map zooms to its route and the tiles below list every stage. Play the expedition to walk through them in order. Drag to pan; zoom with the buttons or Ctrl + wheel.

III · Period maps

The world on paper

Maps Strzelecki worked with, and maps made from his surveys. Drag to pan; zoom with Ctrl + wheel, a double-click or the buttons.

IV · Quiz

How well do you know Strzelecki?

Ten questions drawn from a pool. After each answer you get the story behind it and can jump to the place on the map.

Cheat sheet: the key dates
Born20 Jul 1797Głuszyna near Poznań
Leaves Liverpool8 Jun 1834In the Virginian for New York
Arrives in Sydney25 Apr 1839In the barque Justine from New Zealand
Mount Kosciuszko12 Mar 1840Climbs Australia's highest peak
Western Port12 May 1840End of the Gippsland traverse
TasmaniaJul 1840 – 29 Sep 1842Two years of survey, about 2,000 miles on foot
Back in London24 Oct 1843After a voyage through Asia and Egypt
RGS medal25 May 1846Founder's Gold Medal
KCMG30 Jun 1869Knight Commander of St Michael and St George
Died6 Oct 1873London; buried at Kensal Green
Reburied29 Nov 1997Crypt of St Adalbert's, Poznań
All quiz questions with answers

Where was Paul Edmund Strzelecki born?

In Głuszyna near Poznań. He was born on 20 July 1797 in Głuszyna, now part of Poznań, and baptised in its church of St James.

Who did Strzelecki name Australia's highest mountain after?

Tadeusz Kościuszko. The peak reminded him of the Kościuszko Mound in Kraków, so he named it after the hero of Polish and American freedom.

How high is Mount Kosciuszko?

2,228 m. It is 2,228 m. In the field Strzelecki computed 7,800 ft; his report gave 6,510 ft. His barometer may have been damaged in falls.

Which region did Strzelecki name after Governor Gipps?

Gippsland. In 1840 he crossed what is now eastern Victoria and called it Gippsland. The name stuck.

What did the starving party eat in the ranges now named after Strzelecki?

Koalas hunted by Charley Tarra. Charley Tarra, a Gandangara man, hunted koalas, which they ate raw. Without him the party might not have survived.

Why did Strzelecki keep quiet about the gold traces he found in 1839?

Governor Gipps asked him to. Gipps feared unrest in a colony full of convicts. The gold rush only began in 1851.

How did Strzelecki reach Sydney in April 1839?

On the French barque Justine from New Zealand. The Justine left the Bay of Islands on 10 April and reached Port Jackson on 25 April 1839.

What did Strzelecki do on the Hawaiian volcano Kīlauea in 1838?

He described it, the first printed use of the name Halemaʻumaʻu. Two Honolulu papers printed his account in October 1838. Captain Cook died in Hawaii in 1779, long before Strzelecki was born.

How long did Strzelecki spend surveying Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania)?

More than two years. From July 1840 to September 1842 he zigzagged across the island, about 2,000 miles.

What did Strzelecki do during the Great Famine in Ireland (1847–48)?

He organised meals for schoolchildren. As agent of the British Relief Association he saw over 200,000 children fed by March 1848.

Was Strzelecki a count?

No, it was only a courtesy nickname. He never signed himself that way. The 1834 passenger list calls him a "gentleman" and his book says P. E. de Strzelecki.

Where have Strzelecki's remains rested since 1997?

In the crypt of St Adalbert's Church, Poznań. He died in London in 1873. In November 1997 his coffin was moved to the Crypt of Meritorious Wielkopolanie in Poznań.

What honour did Strzelecki receive in 1869?

The KCMG, making him "Sir Paul". From then on he was Sir Paul Edmund de Strzelecki. The Nobel Prize only began in 1901.

What is the Strzelecki Track?

An unsealed outback road in South Australia. It runs 472 km from Lyndhurst to Innamincka. The name comes from Charles Sturt, who named a creek and a desert after Strzelecki in 1845.

How did Strzelecki travel back from Australia to London in 1843?

Via the East Indies, China and Egypt. He left on 22 April 1843 in the barque Anna Robertson and, via Hong Kong and Cairo, reached London on 24 October.

V · True or false?

Fact or myth?

Plenty of stories circulate about Strzelecki. Which ones are true? Pick an answer on each card.

He climbed Kosciuszko on 15 February 1840.
He climbed it on 12 Mar 1840. The 15 February date comes from his report and the 1940 plaque, but he was still recording weather at Ellerslie in late February.
He tried to elope with Adyna Turno in 1814–15.
Adyna was born in 1805. The proposal is best dated c.1820–21, and Paszkowski says there is no real evidence of an elopement.
He made return visits to Poland.
No visit to Poland is documented. He met Adyna again in Geneva in Sep 1866.
He became FRS before joining the RGS.
He became FRGS in May 1853 and FRS in June 1853, both after the 1846 RGS Founder's Medal.
He visited the Galápagos and Utah.
There is no evidence for the Galápagos, and the Utah forays are doubtful.
He was a count.
He never styled himself Count. The 1834 passenger list says “gentleman”, his 1845 papers “Monsieur”, and his book “P. E. de Strzelecki”. He merely tolerated the courtesy title.
He climbed Mount Townsend, not Kosciuszko.
He climbed present-day Kosciuszko. The myth comes from an 1870 map error, corrected in 1892 and confirmed in 1955.
He held a degree from Oxford or Heidelberg.
There are no records of him at any university. Oxford gave him only an honorary doctorate, in 1860.
Strzelecki named Gippsland after the Governor of New South Wales.
True. George Gipps governed the colony from 1838 to 1846.
During the Great Famine Strzelecki helped feed more than 200,000 Irish children.
True. That many pupils were being fed by March 1848.
Strzelecki wrote to Adyna Turno, his first love, for the rest of his life.
True. They wrote for about 40 years and met again in Geneva in 1866.
In Tasmania Strzelecki spent two nights inside a hollow tree.
True. It happened in 1841 near Bull Creek, on the way to the Middlesex Plains.
VI · Scholarly disputes

Where the sources disagree

Strzelecki rarely recorded dates, and his will ordered his papers destroyed. Where sources diverge, we show every position and the best judgement.

Date of the Kosciuszko ascent

  • 12 Mar 1840 (Macarthur's field book)
  • 15 Feb 1840 (Strzelecki's report to Gipps; 1940 plaque)
  • 12 Feb 1840 (Port Phillip Herald, 2 Jun 1840)
Best judgement12 Mar 1840. Strzelecki recorded weather at Ellerslie on 26, 28 and 29 Feb, and Macarthur wrote that they left Ellerslie on 2 March.

Which peak he climbed

  • Mount Townsend first, then Kosciuszko (Clews)
  • Mount Abbott first, then Kosciuszko (Andrews)
  • Only Mount Townsend (Scott 1939, the 1870 map)
Best judgementHe climbed present-day Kosciuszko. The 1870 map error was corrected in 1892 and confirmed in 1955.

Measured height

  • 7,800 ft (field computation)
  • 6,510 ft (report)
  • 2,228 m, or 7,310 ft (true height)
Best judgementThe gap is probably due to barometer damage from falls (Clews).

Gold priority

  • Strzelecki, 1839
  • McBrien, 1823
  • Lhotsky, 1834
  • Clarke, 1841
  • Hargraves, 1851
Best judgementA credible early scientific find, but no payable goldfield. His priority was later endorsed by Macarthur in the Legislative Council (1853), The Times (1854) and eight International Congress commissioners (1860).

Who “discovered” Gippsland

  • McMillan, from 1839 (Port Albert, Feb 1841)
  • Strzelecki, first traverse to Western Port in 1840
Best judgementMcMillan got there first; Strzelecki made the first traverse, and his name stuck.

The title “Count”

  • Popular usage: “Count Strzelecki”
  • His own usage: “gentleman”, “Monsieur”, “P. E. de Strzelecki”
Best judgementA courtesy nickname only, which he tolerated.

Education

  • Piarist college in Warsaw (Paszkowski)
  • Edinburgh or Oxford, BA 1820 (DIB)
  • Heidelberg
Best judgementThere are no records of him at any university.

Extent of the Americas travels

  • Route from his letter to Adyna (c.29 Apr 1839)
  • Forays into Utah
  • A visit to the Galápagos
Best judgementThe main route is plausible. Utah is doubtful, and there is no evidence for the Galápagos.

Arrival in Sydney

  • 25 Apr 1839 (Sydney Gazette)
  • 24 Apr 1839 (The Australian)
Best judgementUse 25 April, noting 24 April.

Arrival in Melbourne

  • 19 May 1840 (Paszkowski)
  • 28 May 1840 (Scott, Port Phillip Patriot)
Best judgementUnresolved. The 28 May date has the Port Phillip Patriot behind it.

Arrival in Launceston

  • 24 Jul 1840
  • 25 Jul 1840
  • 30 Jul 1840
Best judgementUnresolved.
Places named by Strzelecki or after him
Mount KosciuszkoStrzelecki, 12 Mar 1840 · 36.46°S 148.26°EAfter Tadeusz Kościuszko. The NSW Geographical Names Board restored the “z” spelling in 1997.
GippslandStrzelecki, 1840 · 38.00°S 147.00°EAfter Governor Gipps. McMillan's name “Caledonia Australis” was dropped.
Lake KingStrzelecki, 1840 · 37.88°S 147.75°EAfter P. P. King.
La Trobe RiverStrzelecki 1840 (Paszkowski) or Brodribb 1841 (Daley) · 38.20°S 146.50°EWho named it is disputed.
Perry River and Barney PlainsStrzelecki, 1840 · 38.00°S 147.20°ENamed in Gippsland in April 1840.
Strzelecki RangesCapt. J. Lort Stokes, HMS Beagle · 38.40°S 146.10°EWhere his party nearly starved in 1840.
Mount FatigueCapt. J. Lort Stokes · 38.60°S 146.30°ECommemorates the ordeal of 1840.
Strzelecki (township)later settlement · 38.33°S 145.90°EA Victorian township later named after him.
Strzelecki Peaks and Strzelecki National ParkCapt. J. Lort Stokes; park created 1967 · 40.20°S 148.07°EOn Flinders Island. Strzelecki climbed this ridge on 13 Jan 1842.
Strzelecki CreekCharles Sturt, 18 Aug 1845 · 28.60°S 140.60°EAn inland creek far north of any route Strzelecki travelled.
Strzelecki DesertCharles Sturt, 1845 · 29.00°S 140.50°EAn inland desert that Strzelecki never visited.
Strzelecki TrackHarry Readford's route (1870), “pioneered 1871” · 30.29°S 138.35°ELyndhurst to Innamincka, 472 km unsealed.
Strzelecki HarbourMcClintock, c.1859 · 72.50°N 97.00°WOn Prince of Wales Island in the Arctic; coordinates approximate. Thanks for his fundraising for the Fox expedition.
VII · Chronology

A whole life step by step

Every stage of the journey in one place, with dates, places and how sure the sources are. Open a chapter to read it.

Life and travels

Polish youth1797–1829 · 7
  1. Born near Poznań Głuszyna (Glausche), South Prussia · Poznań-Głuszyna, PolandH
    Paweł Edmund Strzelecki was born in Głuszyna near Poznań, then under Prussian rule. His parents were Franciszek and Anna (née Raczyńska). He was baptised in the Church of St James the Greater in Głuszyna. (His tombstone shows 1796, and some sources give June.)
  2. Orphan in Warsaw Warsaw · Warsaw, PolandM
    His father died early, though the date is uncertain. His mother died in 1807 and the boy was taken to Warsaw. There he studied at the Piarist college around 1810–14. (The Piarist schooling is Paszkowski's account. There are no records of study at any university.)
  3. Years in Kraków Kraków · Kraków, PolandM
    Around 1813–17 Strzelecki lived in Kraków. Many years later he said that the shape of Australia's highest mountain reminded him of the Kościuszko Mound in Kraków.
  4. Sister's estate, brief soldiering Skubarczewo near Gniezno · Skubarczewo, PolandM
    In 1817 his brother Piotr brought him to their sister's estate at Skubarczewo. Around this time he served briefly in the Prussian cavalry, in the 6th Thuringian Uhlans according to one chronology. He left the service as an ensign.
  5. Adyna Turno Więckowice, the Turno estate · Więckowice near Poznań, PolandL
    On the Turno estate he worked as tutor to Wincenty Turno. He proposed to Adyna Turno, born in 1805, and was rejected. Even so, they exchanged letters for some 40 years. (The alleged elopement attempt is often misdated to 1814–15. Paszkowski says there is no real evidence for it.)
  6. Travels, Prince Sapieha Vesuvius and Rome · Campania and Rome, ItalyM
    He travelled through Toplitz, Carlsbad, Saxony, Switzerland, Italy (including Vesuvius), Dalmatia and Austria. In Rome in 1822 he is said to have met Prince Franciszek Sapieha. (Sources say cautiously that he “may have” made these journeys.)
  7. Steward of 12,000 peasants Sapieha estates, eastern borderlands · former Commonwealth lands, probably today's BelarusM
    As Prince Sapieha's plenipotentiary he managed estates with about 12,000 peasants. The prince died in 1829, and Strzelecki received a settlement of 12,000 ducats, about a quarter of the bequest. (The estate seat is not established, so the coordinates are approximate.)
Exile in France and Britain1829–1834 · 3
  1. Paris and self-taught geology Paris · Paris, FranceM
    At the end of 1829 he left Poland and settled in France. He taught himself geology. He may also have travelled to Russia and Africa. (The Russia and Africa trips are poorly attested. He denied being an 1830 insurgent; the ADB mentions possible courier service.)
  2. A gentleman in London London · London, United KingdomM
    From 18 Nov 1831 he lived in England and was a member of the Alfred Club. He travelled to the north of Scotland and also mentioned trips to Cape Verde and the Pyrenees. He returned to England via Portsmouth on 12 Apr 1834. (The Scotland trip is fairly reliable; the Cape Verde trip is uncorroborated.)
  3. Sailing for America Liverpool · Liverpool, United KingdomH
    On 8 Jun 1834 he sailed from Liverpool to New York in the Virginian. The passenger list describes him as a “gentleman”.
The Americas1834–1838 · 14
  1. Soils and farms of America New York and the eastern states · New York, USAM
    From New York he toured Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Richmond and Charleston, and went up the Hudson to Albany. He studied soils, minerals and farms. He also analysed the gluten content of wheat.
  2. At Niagara Niagara Falls · Niagara Falls, USA and CanadaM
    He reached Niagara Falls. On this stage of the journey he met Native communities and made ethnographic notes.
  3. The Canadian loop Quebec · Québec City, CanadaM
    By way of Lake Ontario, Toronto and Montreal he reached Quebec. He returned via Lake Champlain and Saratoga. (The route is fairly reliable; the tradition that he discovered copper in Canada is unconfirmed.)
  4. Caribbean leg Havana and the Antilles · Havana, CubaM
    Around 1835 he visited the Antilles and Havana in Cuba.
  5. Overland through Mexico Mexico City · Mexico City, MexicoM
    From Veracruz he travelled overland to Mexico City and then to Tampico.
  6. Up the Mississippi New Orleans · New Orleans, USAM
    From New Orleans he went up the Mississippi and the Ohio to Cincinnati. From there he returned to Baltimore.
  7. Brazil and slavery Rio de Janeiro · Rio de Janeiro, BrazilM
    In Brazil he studied the geology around Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Minas Gerais. He also recorded observations on slavery.
  8. On the River Plate Montevideo and Buenos Aires · Uruguay and ArgentinaM
    He visited Montevideo and Buenos Aires on the River Plate, the land of the gauchos. (One web chronology also mentions Paraguay and the Gran Chaco; this is poorly supported.)
  9. Crossing the Andes Mendoza and the Andes · Mendoza, ArgentinaM
    From Mendoza, a mineral-rich province, he crossed the Andes. His route passed peaks higher than 4,500 m.
  10. Chilean soils and wheat Valparaíso · Valparaíso, ChileM
    In Chile he travelled from Coquimbo to Concepción, studying soil chemistry and wheat. At Valparaíso he boarded HMS Cleopatra.
  11. Pacific coast cruise Lima and Guayaquil · Peru and EcuadorM
    The cruise up the west coast took him to Lima and Guayaquil, then on to Costa Rica and San Salvador.
  12. Mexican Pacific ports Acapulco, San Blas and Mazatlán · Pacific coast of MexicoM
    The ship called at Acapulco, San Blas and Mazatlán on Mexico's Pacific coast.
  13. Mines of Sonora Guaymas, Sonora · Guaymas, MexicoM
    At Guaymas on the Gulf of California he examined the mines of Sonora. (The claim that he made forays to the Salt Lake and the Utah deserts is doubtful.)
  14. Back in Valparaíso Valparaíso · Valparaíso, ChileM
    On 22 Jun 1838 he returned to Valparaíso, after about four years of travel in the Americas. (Much of this route is known only from one letter to Adyna, written c.29 Apr 1839.)
Across the Pacific1838–1839 · 6
  1. Aboard HMS Fly Valparaíso · Valparaíso, ChileM
    On 20 Jul 1838 he joined HMS Fly under Captain Russell Elliot and set out across the Pacific.
  2. Marquesan languages Nuku Hiva, Marquesas · Nuku Hiva, French PolynesiaM
    On Nuku Hiva, where the ship stayed until 23 Aug 1838, he studied the local languages.
  3. Up Kīlauea volcano Kīlauea, Hawaiʻi · Hawaiʻi, USAH
    From Kealakekua Bay and Hilo he climbed Kīlauea. His account was printed in the Sandwich Islands Gazette (6 Oct 1838) and the Hawaiian Spectator (Oct 1838). It contains the first printed use of the name Halemaʻumaʻu.
  4. Guest of Queen Pōmare Papeete, Tahiti · Tahiti, French PolynesiaM
    On Tahiti he left HMS Fly. For about 11 weeks he was a guest of Queen Pōmare IV. (The ADB doubts the jury story told about this stay.)
  5. Island-hopping Tuamotu, Mangareva and Tonga · French Polynesia and TongaL
    In the French barque Justine he visited the Tuamotus, Mangareva (Gambier Islands) and Tonga.
  6. With Busby in New Zealand Kororāreka, Bay of Islands · Russell, New ZealandM
    He stayed as a guest of James Busby, visited Waitangi and Hokianga, and studied North Island geology. On 10 Apr 1839 he sailed for Sydney in the barque Justine under Captain Bernard. (His arrival is dated either to late January or to 17 Feb 1839.)
Australia and Tasmania1839–1843 · 6
  1. Arrival in Sydney Port Jackson, Sydney · Sydney, New South Wales, AustraliaH
    On 25 Apr 1839 the Justine entered Port Jackson, beginning four years of exploration in Australia. On 7 June he dined with Governor Gipps and met Lady Jane Franklin, who invited him to Van Diemen's Land. (The Australian newspaper gave 24 April.)
  2. Gold, kept secret Blue Mountains, Hartley and Bathurst · New South Wales, AustraliaM
    On his first expedition he found traces of gold near Hartley (Vale of Clwydd, Cox's River) and in the Wellington district. On 26 Oct he wrote to James Macarthur of “gold in specks in silicate”. Governor Gipps asked him to keep it secret because of the large convict population. (He was a credible early scientific finder, not the discoverer of a payable goldfield. That was Hargraves in 1851.)
  3. A summit for Kościuszko Mount Kosciuszko · Snowy Mountains, New South Wales, AustraliaH
    On 12 Mar 1840, at about 3–4 pm, he climbed Australia's highest peak (2,228 m) alone. He named it after Tadeusz Kościuszko. He brought back a summit rock, and an “everlasting” flower for Adyna. (His report to Gipps says 15 February, as does the 1940 plaque. Macarthur's field book supports 12 March.)
  4. Through Gippsland to Western Port Western Port (Corinella) · Corinella, Victoria, AustraliaH
    The party crossed the country he named Gippsland after Governor Gipps. In today's Strzelecki Ranges, in constant rain, they starved, and Charley Tarra hunted koalas for them. On 12 May 1840 they reached Western Port exhausted, then went on to Melbourne. (McMillan reached Gippsland first, but Strzelecki made the first traverse to Western Port. His Melbourne arrival is dated 19 or 28 May.)
  5. Two years in Tasmania Launceston, Van Diemen's Land · Launceston, Tasmania, AustraliaH
    From Launceston he crossed the island in several circuits, walking about 2,000 miles. At Governor Franklin's request he surveyed coal, and on 13 Jan 1842 he climbed the highest ridge of Flinders Island. He sailed for Sydney on 29 Sep 1842. (His arrival date (24, 25 or 30 Jul 1840) is unresolved.)
  6. Farewell to Australia Sydney · Sydney, New South Wales, AustraliaM
    He spent his last months at Port Stephens as P. P. King's guest. He studied the Hunter coal measures and travelled north to about latitude 30°S. On 22 Apr 1843 he left Sydney in the barque Anna Robertson. (Some sources give 23 April.)
Voyage to London1843 · 11
  1. Past the Great Barrier Reef Torres Strait · between Australia and New GuineaM
    The Anna Robertson was bound for China. Her route ran along the Great Barrier Reef, through Torres Strait and into the Arafura Sea.
  2. Through the Sunda Islands Bali and the Indonesian islands · IndonesiaM
    The ship passed western New Guinea, Timor, Sumba, Sumbawa and Lombok. Strzelecki apparently stayed on Bali for some time, then visited Java.
  3. Borneo and Manila Manila · Manila, PhilippinesM
    Through the Makassar Strait and past Borneo, the ship reached Manila.
  4. The infant colony of Hong Kong Hong Kong and Canton · Hong Kong and Guangzhou, ChinaH
    On 26 Jul 1843 he wrote to P. P. King praising the infant colony of Hong Kong. Around 11 Aug he left Canton in the steamer Akbar.
  5. West by steamer Singapore and Penang · Singapore and MalaysiaM
    The steamer called at Singapore and Penang.
  6. A call in “India” “India”, probably Ceylon · Galle, Sri LankaL
    Sources mention a call in “India”. This was probably Ceylon, from where the steamer headed for the Red Sea. (This call is unverified.)
  7. Up the Red Sea Suez · Suez, EgyptM
    Around 17 Sep 1843 he landed at Suez to cross Egypt overland.
  8. Ten days in Egypt Cairo and Alexandria · Cairo, EgyptM
    He spent about ten days in Egypt, travelling through Cairo to Alexandria.
  9. On the steamer Oriental Malta and Algiers · MaltaM
    From Alexandria the steamer Oriental sailed via Malta and Algiers to Marseille.
  10. Across France Marseille · Marseille, FranceM
    From Marseille he travelled via Paris to London.
  11. Back in London London · London, United KingdomH
    On 24 Oct 1843, 74 days after leaving Canton, he reached London. He found that his savings had been lost when a French bank failed. (The loss of his savings is reported by the ADB.)
Recognition in London1843–1869 · 5
  1. The great book London · London, United KingdomH
    In 1845 Longman published his Physical Description of New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land, with a preface dated 13 May. On 28 Nov 1845 he was naturalised as a British subject. His naturalisation papers call him “Monsieur”.
  2. The RGS gold medal Royal Geographical Society, London · London, United KingdomH
    On 25 May 1846 Lord Colchester presented him with the Royal Geographical Society's Founder's Gold Medal. His giant map was exhibited at the occasion.
  3. Companion of the Bath London · London, United KingdomH
    On 21 Nov 1848 he was made a civil Companion of the Bath (CB), one of the first civil CBs.
  4. Fellow and philanthropist London · London, United KingdomH
    In May 1853 he became a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS), and in June a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). He worked for the Crimean Army Fund with Florence Nightingale and on emigration committees with Caroline Chisholm and Sidney Herbert. In 1856 he published Gold and Silver, defending his priority in finding gold. (Both fellowships came after the 1846 RGS medal. The fund and committee work is less well documented.)
  5. Knighted KCMG London · London, United KingdomH
    On 30 Jun 1869, through Gladstone, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG).
Irish famine relief1847–1849 · 2
  1. The Great Famine Westport, County Mayo · Westport, IrelandM
    On 22 Jan 1847 the British Relief Association assigned him to Donegal, Mayo and Sligo. He sailed in HMS Urgent to Westport and toured Erris, Belmullet, Killybegs and Louisburgh. In Westport he started a pilot scheme feeding 1,700 schoolchildren, and in April he caught typhus. (He wrote: “No pen can describe the distress…”)
  2. Meals for 200,000 children Dublin · Dublin, IrelandM
    In Dublin he led the Association's work as lead agent and expanded the school-feeding scheme. By 1 Jan 1848 it was feeding 58,000 children, and by March over 200,000. The Association's funds ran out in July 1848. (Sources differ on 1849. Paszkowski has him back in London by May; others describe an Irish relief journey in Jun–Sep 1849.)
Later years1856–1873 · 7
  1. With Lord Lyons' mission Constantinople · Istanbul, TurkeyM
    Around 1 Nov 1856 he was in Constantinople with Lord Lyons' entourage for the investiture of the Sultan with the Order of the Garter.
  2. Crimea and Russia Sevastopol, Crimea · Sevastopol, CrimeaM
    The journey continued to Crimea. According to the ADB he also visited Russia.
  3. Funding the Fox search London · London, United KingdomM
    He helped raise £3,000 for Lady Franklin's Fox expedition in search of Sir John Franklin. Captain McClintock named Strzelecki Harbour in the Arctic after him. Strzelecki did not go there himself.
  4. Honorary doctorate Oxford · Oxford, United KingdomH
    On 20 Jun 1860 the University of Oxford awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Civil Law (DCL).
  5. Reunion with Adyna Geneva · Geneva, SwitzerlandM
    In Sep 1866 he met Adyna Turno again in Geneva. There is no evidence that he ever went back to Poland.
  6. Death in London Savile Row, London · London, United KingdomH
    Ill with liver cancer, he spent the winter of 1872–73 convalescing in southern Europe. He died at Savile Row, London, on 6 Oct 1873. His will ordered his papers destroyed and his burial in an unmarked grave.
  7. Grave at Kensal Green Kensal Green Cemetery · London, United KingdomH
    He was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery, and the grave was restored in 1943. Because his papers were destroyed and his diary “Mon Journal” is missing, many details of his life are hard to confirm today.
Return to Poznań1997 · 1
  1. Home to Wielkopolska St Adalbert's Church, Poznań · Poznań, PolandH
    On 15 Jun 1997 the New Crypt of Meritorious Wielkopolanie opened at St Adalbert's Church in Poznań. Strzelecki's coffin was placed in the church on 19 Nov and interred in the crypt on 29 Nov 1997.

Australia: the expedition stages

A · Blue Mountains and the gold secretApr–Dec 1839 · 10
  1. Arrival in Sydney Port Jackson, SydneyH
    The French barque Justine arrives from the Bay of Islands in New Zealand. Strzelecki begins four years of exploring Australia here. (The Sydney Gazette of 27 April reports the arrival “on Thursday last”, that is 25 April. The Australian gives 24 April.)
  2. Dinner with the governor Government House, SydneyM
    Strzelecki dines with Governor George Gipps. There he meets Lady Jane Franklin, who invites him to Van Diemen's Land.
  3. Setting out west SydneyM
    Strzelecki leaves Sydney on his first expedition. Two ex-convicts go with him, one of them “Keena” (James Nolan or Folan).
  4. The upper Blue Mountains Blue Mountains: Mount Tomah and the Grose ValleyH
    Strzelecki examines Mount Tomah, Mount King George and Mount Hay. The Grose Valley defeats him.
  5. First traces of gold Vale of Clwydd and Cox's River near HartleyM
    Near Hartley, Strzelecki finds traces of gold in the rocks. It was a credible scientific find, not a deposit worth mining. (Priority is disputed. McBrien (1823) and Lhotsky (1834) reported gold earlier, and Hargraves found the first payable goldfield in 1851.)
  6. Around Bathurst BathurstM
    Strzelecki records traces of gold “in the vicinity” of Bathurst.
  7. Bones in the caves Wellington Valley and Wellington CavesH
    Strzelecki studies fossil bones in the Wellington Caves. On 16 October he writes from the field to James Walker about “gold and silver veins”.
  8. Coal, serpentine and gold Boree and Mount CanobolasH
    On this route Strzelecki notes coal and serpentine. On 26 October he writes to James Macarthur about “gold in specks in silicate”.
  9. The gold must stay secret Sydney, Australian ClubM
    Strzelecki reports the gold to Governor Gipps. Gipps asks him to keep quiet because of the large convict population. Years later James Macarthur in the Legislative Council (1853) and The Times (1854) backed Strzelecki's priority.
  10. Meeting W. B. Clarke SydneyM
    At a party for the American (Wilkes) expedition, Strzelecki meets the geologist W. B. Clarke. Despite his finds, he tells the geologists Clarke and Dana that the local mineralogy is “very tame”.
B · Snowy Mountains and GippslandDec 1839 – Jul 1840 · 28
  1. Off to the Snowy Mountains SydneyH
    Strzelecki writes to Donaldson: “I am off for the Snowy Mountains this very moment.” (One chronology gives 22 December.)
  2. Christmas with the Macarthurs CamdenM
    Strzelecki spends Christmas at Camden with the Macarthur family. James Macarthur of this family will be his companion on this expedition.
  3. Geological detours Shoalhaven to the Yass PlainsM
    Strzelecki makes detours to study the rocks from the Shoalhaven River to the Yass Plains.
  4. A letter of introduction Bagalong (between Yass and Jugiong)H
    P. G. King writes Strzelecki a letter of introduction to John Hay. Hay is a co-owner of Welaregang station on the Murray, where the expedition will stop in March.
  5. Base at Ellerslie Ellerslie (Hannibal Macarthur's station near Adelong and Tumut)H
    Strzelecki arrives on 5 February, and his book lists weather readings taken here on 26, 28 and 29 February. On 2 March the expedition sets out for the mountains. These dates are strong evidence against a summit climb on 15 February.
  6. Regrouping on the Murray Welaregang (Hay & Chalmers' station on the Murray)M
    The expedition reorganises and the servants stay behind. Jackey, a local Aboriginal guide, probably joins here.
  7. The summit party sets off Upper Murray south bank, Nowong fordH
    A small party crosses at the Nowong ford and heads for the main range of the Snowy Mountains.
  8. The horse camp “Gobollin” plainH
    The horses stay with James Riley at the base camp. The rest of the party goes on.
  9. Climbing by moonlight Geehi Walls, Bogong Creek, Swampy Plains River, foot of Hannels SpurH
    They start at 7 am and keep climbing into the night by moonlight. Supper is a lyrebird.
  10. Breakfast at a spring Moiras Flat / Byatts CampH
    In the morning they have breakfast at a spring. They leave their blankets there.
  11. A higher peak in sight Mount TownsendM
    His instruments show that a peak about two miles to the south is higher. Strzelecki names it “Kosciusko” after Tadeusz Kościuszko, and Macarthur turns back. (The date is certain, the route is not. Clews (1970/73) puts the party on Mount Townsend; Alan Andrews says they parted on Mount Abbott. An 1870 Victorian Survey map swapped the names Townsend and Kosciuszko; the error was corrected in 1892 and confirmed in 1955.)
  12. Alone on the summit Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 m)H
    Around 3–4 pm Strzelecki climbs the highest peak on the Australian mainland alone. He takes a rock from the summit and an “everlasting” flower for Adyna Turno. The mountain's shape reminded him of the Kościuszko Mound in Kraków. (The 12 March date comes from Macarthur's field book. In his own report to Gipps (Melbourne, 26 June 1840) Strzelecki wrote “15th February”, and the 1940 bronze plaque on the summit gives that date. The Port Phillip Herald printed 12 February. The spelling “Kosciuszko” was officially adopted in 1997.)
  13. 7,800 or 6,510 feet? Back at the horse campH
    The party returns to Riley and the horses. In the field Strzelecki computed the height as 7,800 ft, but his report gave 6,510 ft. The true height is 2,228 m, or 7,310 ft. (Clews thinks the barometer was probably damaged in falls.)
  14. Heading south Welaregang and CorryongM
    The expedition returns to Welaregang and turns south via Corryong.
  15. Lake Omeo and Mount Tambo Gibbo Range, Lake Omeo (Benambra), Mount Tambo, TongioM
    Strzelecki fixes the position of Lake Omeo and climbs Mount Tambo.
  16. Hosted by Macalister Numbla Munjee (Macalister's outstation near Ensay)M
    Matthew Macalister hosts the expedition at his outstation. From here they follow McMillan's tracks. (Macarthur gives 26 March, Daley 27 March.)
  17. Lake King Lower Tambo, northern shores of Lake KingM
    The expedition reaches the Gippsland Lakes. Strzelecki names Lake King after P. P. King.
  18. The end of McMillan's tracks “Riley” River, now the NicholsonH
    At the “Riley” River, today's Nicholson, the expedition sees McMillan's tracks for the last time.
  19. Country new to Europeans Mitchell, Avon and Macalister rivers, Providence Ponds, HeyfieldM
    West of the Macalister River the expedition enters country new to Europeans. Strzelecki names the Perry River and the Barney Plains. (McMillan entered this country first, from 1839. Strzelecki made the first traverse through to Western Port and named it Gippsland after Gipps; McMillan's name “Caledonia Australis” was dropped.)
  20. The La Trobe River La Trobe River crossing near Loy Yang and TraralgonM
    The expedition crosses the river that Strzelecki probably named the La Trobe. (Paszkowski credits the name to Strzelecki; Daley credits Brodribb (1841).)
  21. Horses left behind Near Moe / KoornallaM
    The party leaves the horses behind and stows the saddles and specimens in trees. They head due west on foot for Western Port. (Sources give different day counts for this stage: Riley 21, the Port Phillip Herald 22, Strzelecki 26.)
  22. Ranges in the rain Strzelecki Ranges: Mirboo NorthM
    The party struggles through the ranges in incessant rain. Captain J. Lort Stokes of HMS Beagle later named them the Strzelecki Ranges, and named Mount Fatigue to commemorate the ordeal.
  23. Koalas keep them alive Strzelecki Ranges: LeongathaM
    The party is starving. Charley Tarra hunts koalas, which they eat raw.
  24. Last strength Strzelecki Ranges: PoowongM
    Hungry and soaked, they push on west towards Western Port.
  25. Saved at Western Port Western Port: Massie & Anderson's station, Corinella (Settlement Point)H
    The party reaches the station “in a state of exhaustion and semi-starvation”. This completes the first traverse of Gippsland to Western Port.
  26. Melbourne and La Trobe MelbourneM
    Strzelecki arrives in Melbourne and calls on La Trobe. (Paszkowski gives 19 May; Scott and the Port Phillip Patriot give 28 May. The question is unresolved.)
  27. Newspapers and the report to Gipps MelbourneH
    On 2 June the Port Phillip Herald prints “Progress of Discovery”, later reprinted in the Cornwall Chronicle and the Australasian Chronicle. On 26 June Strzelecki signs his report to Governor Gipps. This report is the source of the 15 February date for the Kosciuszko climb.
  28. Sailing for Van Diemen's Land Geelong and out through Port Phillip HeadsM
    Strzelecki sails from Melbourne in the brig Emma via Geelong and out through Port Phillip Heads. (A probable call at Port Fairy is poorly attested.)
C · Van Diemen's LandJul 1840 – Sep 1842 · 37
  1. Arrival in Launceston LauncestonM
    The brig Emma arrives at Launceston. Strzelecki sets up a laboratory in Dr William Pugh's house, later in Government Cottage. On 1 August he sends Adyna a letter enclosing the Kosciuszko flower. (The arrival date is unresolved: sources give 24, 25 or 30 July.)
  2. The first circuit George TownH
    Strzelecki begins his first circuit of the island, heading to George Town on the north coast.
  3. Along the coast Cape PortlandH
    He follows the coast east as far as Cape Portland in the north-east of the island.
  4. Rivers and peaks of the north-east St Georges River, South and North Esk, Ben Lomond, Ben NevisH
    He then examines the St Georges, South Esk and North Esk rivers and the country around Ben Lomond and Ben Nevis.
  5. Back in Launceston LauncestonH
    The first circuit ends back in Launceston.
  6. The second circuit WestburyM
    Strzelecki sets off west through Westbury. Dan Pickett is his guide.
  7. Port Sorell Port SorellM
    The party reaches Port Sorell on the north coast.
  8. The Great Western Road DeloraineM
    From Deloraine he follows the Great Western Road past Mount Roland into the interior.
  9. Two nights in a hollow tree Middlesex Plains (near Bull Creek)M
    Near Bull Creek Strzelecki spends two nights in a hollow tree. He measures heights: Gad's Hill 2,588 ft, Middlesex Plains 2,709 ft.
  10. With Edward Curr Hampshire Hills (Van Diemen's Land Company)H
    Strzelecki reaches the Van Diemen's Land Company lands. Edward Curr writes on 2 March 1841 that he “arrived here a few days ago”.
  11. The north-west coast Emu Bay (Burnie)H
    Strzelecki comes down to the coast at Emu Bay, today's Burnie.
  12. Circular Head Circular Head (Stanley)H
    He visits Circular Head, today's Stanley.
  13. Cape Grim Cape GrimH
    He reaches Cape Grim at the north-western tip of the island.
  14. The Arthur River Arthur RiverH
    On the west coast he gets as far as the Arthur River.
  15. The third circuit Western Tiers south of Deloraine, Central Plateau lakesH
    The third circuit leads from the Western Tiers up onto the Central Plateau and its lakes.
  16. Frenchmans Cap Frenchmans CapH
    Strzelecki crosses the west of the island to the Frenchmans Cap area.
  17. Macquarie Harbour Macquarie HarbourH
    He reaches Macquarie Harbour on the west coast. He did not take part in the Franklins' 1842 trek to Macquarie Harbour.
  18. The Derwent Valley Derwent Valley, New NorfolkH
    In the south he examines the Derwent Valley around New Norfolk.
  19. Mount Wellington Mount WellingtonH
    He examines Mount Wellington, the mountain above Hobart.
  20. Hobart HobartH
    Strzelecki reaches Hobart, the colony's capital.
  21. Coal of the south Tasman PeninsulaH
    At Governor Franklin's request, Strzelecki examines the coal mines of the south, starting with the Tasman Peninsula.
  22. The Huon district HuonH
    He examines the Huon district.
  23. The far south Recherche BayH
    He goes as far as Recherche Bay in the far south of the island.
  24. North through the Midlands RichmondH
    Heading north, he passes through Richmond.
  25. Jerusalem, Jericho, Oatlands Jerusalem (Colebrook), Jericho, OatlandsH
    He goes through Jerusalem (now Colebrook), Jericho and Oatlands.
  26. East from Ross RossH
    From Ross he turns east towards Swan Port.
  27. The east coast Swan Port (Swansea)H
    He reaches Swan Port on the east coast.
  28. Campbell Town Campbell TownH
    He returns inland through Campbell Town.
  29. Back in Launceston LauncestonH
    The third circuit ends back in Launceston. Zigzagging across the island, Strzelecki walked about 2,000 miles in all.
  30. Storm on Ben Lomond Ben Lomond plateau and Stacks BluffM
    Strzelecki makes the first scientific visit to the Ben Lomond plateau. He is caught in a thunderstorm there and finds coal. (Wikipedia gives 28 November 1841; one chronology gives 28 December 1841.)
  31. Flinders Island's high ridge Flinders Island, Strzelecki PeaksH
    From early December 1841 Strzelecki cruises Bass Strait, probably in the cutter Shamrock, correcting Flinders' chart of eastern Flinders Island and the Goose, Badger, Chappell and Green islands. On 13 January 1842 he climbs the island's highest ridge, later named Strzelecki Peaks by Stokes of HMS Beagle. (The cruise itself (December 1841 – c. February 1842) and the ship's name are less well attested than the ascent.)
  32. Wilsons Promontory Sealers Cove, Wilsons PromontoryM
    Strzelecki studies the geology of Wilsons Promontory, the southernmost point of the mainland.
  33. Cape Liptrap Cape LiptrapM
    Next he visits Cape Liptrap.
  34. Back at Western Port Corinella, Western PortM
    He walks to Corinella, where his Gippsland traverse ended in 1840. Here he studies the Western Port coal.
  35. Asbestos, copper and quartz Asbestos Range / Badger HeadM
    Strzelecki finds asbestos here, with traces of copper and gold-bearing quartz. (The source gives only 1841–1842; placing it after the Bass Strait cruise is a convention.)
  36. Science with Franklin Hobart (and Launceston)M
    With Governor Franklin he works in the Tasmanian Society and on the Tasmanian Journal, and draws up irrigation plans. He receives a £400 testimonial, £100 of it from Franklin.
  37. Leaving the island LauncestonM
    Strzelecki sails from Launceston for Sydney in the steamer Sea Horse. (According to Paszkowski he reached Sydney on 2 October. The ship's name still needs checking.)
D · Hunter, Port Stephens and the northOct 1842 – Apr 1843 · 9
  1. P. P. King's guest Tahlee, Port StephensM
    Strzelecki stays at Tahlee with P. P. King and sets out on his surveys from here. On 15 November 1842 he forwards a pardon petition for his servant Keena, who is granted an absolute pardon on 1 July 1843.
  2. The Karuah River Karuah RiverM
    He starts with the Karuah River valley near Port Stephens.
  3. Booral BooralM
    Next he examines the country around Booral.
  4. Towards the Hunter Raymond TerraceM
    Through Raymond Terrace he heads into the Hunter Valley.
  5. The Hunter coal measures Glendon, Harper's Hill, St Patrick's Plains (Singleton)M
    At Glendon, Harper's Hill and the St Patrick's Plains near today's Singleton he studies the coal measures of the Hunter Valley.
  6. The upper Hunter Dart Brook and Mount WingenM
    In the upper valley he examines Dart Brook and Mount Wingen.
  7. The Liverpool Range Liverpool Range and PlainsM
    Strzelecki explores the Liverpool Range and the Liverpool Plains.
  8. Furthest north Namoi River, towards NarrabriM
    Along the Namoi River, towards today's Narrabri, he reaches about latitude 30°S. This is the northern limit of his travels.
  9. Farewell to Australia SydneyM
    Strzelecki sails from Sydney in the barque Anna Robertson, bound for China. He reaches London on 24 October 1843 and publishes Physical Description of New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land there in 1845. (Some sources give 23 April.)
VIII · Sources

How we know

Main sources

  • Lech Paszkowski, Sir Paul Edmund Strzelecki: Explorer and Scientist; chronologia na mtkosciuszko.org.au
  • Geoffrey Rawson, The Count (1953/54); Marian Słabczyński (1957)
  • Helen Heney, Australian Dictionary of Biography (1967, poprawiony online 2012): adb.anu.edu.au
  • Dziennik polowy Jamesa Macarthura, 1840 (Mitchell Library, SLNSW)
  • H. P. G. Clews (1970/73); Alan Andrews; Charles Daley (1941); Ernest Scott (1939)
  • P. E. de Strzelecki, Physical Description of New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land (1845): NLA
  • Sydney Gazette, 27 IV 1839: Trove; Cornwall Chronicle, 20 VI 1840: Trove

Caveats

  • Coordinates are approximate modern locations, not historical survey positions.
  • Most of the pre-1839 chronology rests on one letter to Adyna Turno and on Polish reconstructions.
  • The Gippsland route follows the 1927 memorial-cairn line, which is itself a reconstruction.
  • Confidence: H = document or primary source; M = consistent secondary source; L = tradition, uncorroborated.
Pictures and maps: authors and licences
From the authors

Why melbourne.pl?

zawsze możesz nas tu spotkać
the melbourne.pl motto: “you can always meet us here”
  1. 2006

    A forum for Polish Melbourne

    Arkadiusz (Arek) Rejman was one of the co-founders of melbourne.pl, one of the biggest Polish forums in Australia. From 2006 it was the place where Polish people in one of Australia's biggest cities exchanged information, classifieds and community news, and made new friends.

  2. 2015

    The portal says goodbye

    After nine years, in July 2015, the portal and forum said goodbye to their readers. We kept the domain, but a new idea for it was still years away.

  3. 2019

    A film for the school

    Justyna Rejman was a founding member of the Polish school named after him in Endeavour Hills. The film with Adam and Julia was made as a project for that school.

  4. 2026

    Following Strzelecki

    In 2026 Arek Rejman chose a new patron for the domain and designed a guide to Strzelecki's life: the film, a globe of his journey, four Australian expeditions, period maps and a quiz.

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