Only the lower right hand corner of this map relates to Stuart's fifth expedition. This is centred on the Ashburton Range and Newcastle Waters and shows Stuart's numerous forays to try to find a way forward through the dense scrub to the Victoria River as planned, or any other way north, north-east or north-west. The top of the map shows the path of Augustus Gregory's 1856 expedition along the Roper River, Elsey Creek and across to the Victoria River as well as part of Ludwig Leichhardt's track on the lower Roper River.

This was all that was known of this part of Australia, apart from the coastal survey work of John Lort Stokes and his predecessors. Stokes had discovered the Victoria River and had taken his ship some way upriver, and then navigated further upstream by boat. However with Stuart unable to reach the Victoria, another way to the north coast would need to be found. he would do this on his sixth and final expedition in 1862.

John McDouall Stuart's explorations, 1858-1862: South Australian parliamentary papers 1858-1863 introduction by Valmai Hankel Adelaide: Friends of the State Library of South Australia, 2001