The secret of the Australian desert: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The secret of the Australian desert: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The secret of the Australian desert is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Favenc, Ernest (1846–1908).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Secret of the Australian Desert" by Ernest Favenc is a historical fiction narrative set during the late 19th century. The story revolves around the mysterious disappearance of the explorer Ludwig Leichhardt and his party while attempting to traverse the uncharted heart of Australia in the mid-1800s. Favenc weaves an adventure tale that brings together a group of contemporary explorers as they embark on a quest to uncover the fate of Leichhardt, driven by a mix of curiosity and the allure of the unknown. At the start of the narrative, we are introduced to a scorching November evening in central Australia, where three men—Morton, his young cousin Charlie, and their friend Brown—sit on the porch of a cattle station. They discuss the legend of a "burning mountain" rumored to exist nearby, inspiring them to embark on an expedition to explore its truth and possibly uncover the remains of Leichhardt's lost expedition. The opening sets the stage for their adventure as they prepare for their journey into the harsh, unforgiving landscape filled with scrubs and sandy ridges, expressing their hopes, fears, and the camaraderie that will guide them through the challenges ahead. Throughout this early portion, hints of mystical and ominous elements foreshadow challenges beyond just the treacherous terrain they must navigate.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The secret of the Australian desert
- Author credits: Favenc, Ernest (1846–1908)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Australia -- Fiction
- Leichhardt, Ludwig, 1813-1848 -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Adventure
- Category: Historical Novels
Read this edition
View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


