In 1894 William Austin Horn, a wealthy pastoralist and miner, sponsored an expedition for the scientific examination of the MacDonnell Ranges. Charles Winnecke was appointed leader, and William Baldwin Spencer, Professor of Biology at the University of Melbourne joined as the expedition's zoologist. The expedition's primary purpose was to examine the natural history of the region, and invaluable assistance was received from the local Aboriginal people who helped with the collection of natural history specimens and artefacts. Previously unexplored regions were also discovered, and 27000 square miles were mapped and described as good pastoral country.