In January 1838 George Imlay voyaged to South Australia with livestock. While there he joined with an acquaintance, John Hill, to undertake an exploration. They became some of the first Europeans to cross and re-cross the central Mount Lofty Ranges. Commencing from the Torrens Gorge at Athelstone they explored the headwaters of this river, passing through the Birdwood and Palmer districts, to reach the Murray River at Mannum. Despite discovering and describing many important geographical features within the region, they did not bestow any placenames.