Jarvisfield and other pastoral estatesin the Burdekin district were resumed for land selection, and pastoral activity was supplanted by sugar cultivation on the fertile delta lands.
1873-75 James Venture Mulligan Explored and prospected in the Cape York Peninsula Northmost Australia, Volume 2. Chapters 59-65
1878-80 Ernest Favenc explored from Blackall to the Diamantina River, then through unexplored country between the Burke and Herbert Rivers to Buchanan's Creek. Explored in the country to the south of the Gulf of Carpentaria, and in the north-west of Western Australia. The Explorers of Australia and their Life-work and The History of Australian Exploration.
1879-80 Robert Logan Jack explored and prospected in the Cape York Peninsula Northmost Australia, Volume 2. Chapters 67-80
Fisherman with luggers looking for trepang, pearl shell and trochus were in the coastal areas around Lockhart River. Miners in search of tin and gold along with timber cutters were in the hills around Gordon Creek and the country inland around the Wenlock River.