That day he crossed the boundary of Western Australia.

The creek now gave promise of continuity, the water-holes taking on a more permanent appearance.

It was now pursuing a general south-west course, and Gregory, though still rightly anticipating that it would eventually be lost in the dry interior, determined to follow it as far south as should be compatible with safety.

He named the creek Sturt's Creek, after the gallant explorer of that name, who was naturally then often in his mind.

The creek maintained its southern course, until, on the 8th of March, it ran out into a mud plain and a salt lake.
"Thus, after having followed Sturt's Creek for nearly 300 miles, we have been disappointed in our hope that it would lead to some important outlet to the waters of the Australian interior; it has, however, enabled us to penetrate far into the level tract of country which may be termed the Great Australian Desert." Gregory, convinced that no useful results could arise from any attempt to penetrate the inhospitable region to the south, determined to return before the rapidly-evaporating water on which they were dependent should vanish and cut off all retreat.