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This map shows the country west of Lake Torrens 19 years after Benjamin Babbage had been in the area. This area was intensively explored by Babbage, and before him Charles Swinden. The Elizabeth Creek can be seen flowing into the north-west corner of Pernatty Lagoon, and on the eastern side of that lake, Pernatty Creek where William Coulthard's body was found by Babbage in June 1858. Bottle Hill named by Swinden for its resemblance to a bottle top is just north of Pernatty Lagoon, and east of the Elizabeth. North west of Lake Windabout are the Corriberribera and Wirrawirralu waterholes or Smith's waterholes. All of these places were drawn by Babbage in his sketchbook. Many no longer appear on the maps in modern atlases of South Australia. East of Lake Torrens can be seen the numerous stations and mines in the northern Flinders Ranges. The double blue line indicates a railway line under construction, and the dashed double blue line, a recommended railway line.

Charles Swinden led a small party into the region in August 1857 looking for good pastoral land. The following year the South Australian government equipped a large expedition led by Benjamin Herschel Babbage to explore the northern regions of the colony and find a path through the barrier of salt lakes to the north. William Coulthard had also led a small party that was looking for pastoral lands. He died of thirst on the banks of Pernatty Creek in March 1858. His two companions reached Babbage's camp at Beda and were safe. It took Babbage three months to find Coulthard's body.

Babbage, Benjamin Herschel, 1815-1878

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing. Taking it to the edge August 2004-