Explorer, surveyor, and engineer Robert Austin came to Western Australia in 1840 and joined the surveyor-general's department in 1847. This book narrates his journey to explore the interior of Western Australia in 1854. Starting from Northam on 10th July 1854, several disasters came their way. Many horses consumed toxic native plants and died; more were found dead a week later. Moreover, Austin was forced to discard equipment, and one of the men accidentally shot himself. Austin then had no option but to retreat and return to Port Gregory. Nevertheless, during the journey, he found and named Mount Magnet. In addition, he reported signs of gold in the Murchison region, but no one ever acknowledged his claim for recognition of its discovery.