Mackenzie Street, Blackwater

Left: The dig tree back home in Comet. Right: Ludwig Leichardt’s dig tree circa 1907.

Spotlight on: Leichardt’s DIG Tree Park

Comet Tales and Walking Trails was an initiative of the Comet community, led by local historian Rosemary McLeod, to record and re-tell the fascinating story of the area since European settlement.

Featuring 16 historical sites, this self-guided walk starts at the Leichardt DIG Tree Park.

Prussian-born explorer Doctor Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig Leichhardt and his party travelled through the Comet district in 1845 on their way from Sydney to Port Essington in the Northern Territory.

In 1846, Leichhardt put together another expedition. This time he was endeavouring to travel to the Swan River settlement in Western Australia. It was Leichhardt’s plan to travel to the north over the same country he knew, and at some point turn west.

By the time the party reached the Dawson River, the wet season had begun. Men and animals struggled on over the difficult terrain.

On 5 March 1847, Leichhardt and his party reached the confluence of the Comet and Nogoa rivers, where the 2 rivers join to form the Mackenzie. All the rivers were in high flood and the party was unable to cross. It was here that Leichhardt scarfed a huge coolabah tree with the letters ‘DIG L’ and a downward pointing arrow. A powder canister containing letters to family and friends was buried at the base of the tree. However, they felt they could go no further due to illness and exhaustion and turned back.

The tree was felled in the 1950s, fearing it would be lost to fire. The marked portion was sent to Brisbane for safekeeping. For some years it was housed in Newstead House, until it went into storage. It then moved to the Miles Museum.

The Rockhampton and District Historical Association placed a memorial at the site of the dig tree in 1975. Ten years later in 1985, Comet residents were invited by the association to visit the site and it was during this event they decided they wanted their tree back.

The Comet Leichhardt Tree Restoration Project committee was formed in October 1994 to raise the necessary funds to bring this goal to fruition. Land was sought and money raised for the brick building required to house this valuable historical artefact.

A celebration to welcome the dig tree home was held on 30 March 1997, with the official opening conducted by Paul Bell, former mayor of Emerald Shire Council.

Visitors can check out the Leichardt DIG Tree Park and explore more of the Comet Tales and Walking Trails at any time. For more information visit the Central Queensland Highlands website.

When the river had dropped sufficiently for the party and animals to make a crossing, they headed for the Peak Range.