After much suffering and privation they at last reached the line, and obtained water at some tanks kept for the use of the line repairers.
The absence of a map of the line led Forrest to follow it north, away from Daly Waters, and it was four days before they overtook a repairing party and obtained food.
Alexander Forrest was afterwards for many years a member of the Legislative Council of West Australia, was for six years Mayor of Perth and a C.M.G.He died on the 20th June, 1901.

A bronze statue was erected to his memory in Perth, Western Australia, by his friends..