John McDouall Stuart commenced his fifth expedition with 12 men and 49 horses but soon found it necessary to send two men back with the five weakest horses.
The party reached Stuart's former northern limit, Attack Creek, successfully.
Lack of water and feed slowed progress and the scrub to the north west blocked any progress in that direction.
Exploration north led to trafficable country and the discovery of good water at Newcastle Waters, 240km further north than Stuart's previous limit. However, for all his effort, Stuart was unable to progress further and was forced to return, the men and horses being in poor condition.