On his return from his exploring expedition he was voted 1,000 pounds for himself, and 500 pounds for his party.

He was created a C.M.G.in 1875, was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical Society of London, and he died in 1889.
In 1873 two prominent South Australian colonists, whose names are intimately connected with the promotion of exploration in that colony, Thomas Elder and Walter Hughes, fitted out an expedition which it was hoped would lead to the rapid advancement of geographical knowledge.
Unfortunately the result was not commensurate with the ambitious nature of the undertaking.

The command was given to Major Warburton, who was instructed to start from the neighbourhood of Central Mount Stuart, and to steer a course direct to Perth.

In spite of being provided with a long string of camels, Warburton incurred so much delay in getting through the sandhills that his camels were knocked up and his provisions nearly all consumed before he had advanced half-way.

This compelled him to bear up north to the head waters of the Oakover River.