William Buckley Discovery Trail

The William Buckley story is a fascinating tale of survival against all odds. The young convict escaped from custody in Sorrento in 1803 and survived in the Australian wilderness for nearly three decades.

After some time wandering alone, Buckley was found starving and near death by the Wathaurong people and, believing him to be a warrior returned from the dead, they welcomed him into the tribe.

He lived for 32 years with the Wathaurong people before rejoining European society as an interpreter and peacemaker, working for understanding and reconciliation between the local indigenous people and the settlers.

Much of the information we have today of the local indigenous people has been gleaned from the accounts of William Buckley. 

The William Buckley Discovery Trail has been developed to highlight his exploits and his relationship with the Wathaurong people. The trail incorporates 19 interpretive signs at some of the sites where William Buckley is believed to have roamed.

Copies of the William Buckley Discovery Trail brochure are available from Visitor Information Centres in the region.