The expedition occurred during a period of extensive drought. Aided by indigenous people, water was not only sourced but evidence of water harvesting and management of evaporation through shoring up water sources with rocks and branches was observed. Indigenous people were somewhat alarmed at how much camels drank – 44 camels needed 800 gallons of water every few days. Lindsay also noted the extent of burning of the land and the constant presence of smoke observed on the horizon. The mallee scrub had been 'burnt in vast patches' possible a year or two previously' and burnt ground had better feed for the camels than unburnt land.