Captain Charles Sturt Statue, Adelaide

Captain Charles Sturt Statue, Adelaide

The statue of Captain Charles Napier Sturt (28 April 1795 – 16 June 1869) commemorates the British explorer of Australia, soldier and public servant, who led several expeditions into the interior of the continent from Sydney and Adelaide. The expeditions traced several of the westward-flowing rivers in a bid to determine if there was an "inland sea".

In marked contrast to the staid monuments to Queen Victoria, Charles Cameron Kingston, and John McDouall Stuart, that are also found in Victoria Square, the Sturt monument was considered ‘the most alive’ in Adelaide, when unveiled on 21 December 1916. Standing in the triangular piece of garden in the north-west corner of the square, the life-size bronze statue depicts Sturt leaning forward, shielding his eyes from the sun with a raised right hand, as he peers into the distance.

Appropriately for an outback explorer, he's represented not in the finery, but in the rough clothing – pants and worn knee boots, with the sleeves of his open-necked shirt rolled up to the elbow, and a broad brimmed hat covering his head. In his left hand Sturt carries the tools of trade: a telescope and crumpled map; plus a compass hung on his belt, and a water bottle slung over his shoulder. Fixed to the pedestal (made of Murray River granite and Angasion marble) are the bronze plaques detailing important historical facts about Sturt, his main explorations, and members of his party.

The statue was created by the English sculptor and artist, Adrian Jones, using photographs from Sturt's daughter, Charlotte. The commissioning of the monument was not without controversy though, as Stunt's representation of was not favoured by the committee, but was insisted upon by his daughter.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Adelaide. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Captain Charles Sturt Statue on Map

Sight Name: Captain Charles Sturt Statue
Sight Location: Adelaide, Australia (See walking tours in Adelaide)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Adelaide, Australia

Create Your Own Walk in Adelaide

Create Your Own Walk in Adelaide

Creating your own self-guided walk in Adelaide is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Adelaide Introduction Walking Tour

Adelaide Introduction Walking Tour

Adelaide, Australia is the fifth most popular city in the country. It is also the capital of the state of Southern Australia. It was settled by the British in 1836 and named after Queen Adelaide, wife of King William IV.

The settlement of Adelaide was inspired by the need for a city made for free colonists rather than convicts. Edward Gibbon Wakefield led this plan. Settlers were given...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
University of Adelaide Walking Tour

University of Adelaide Walking Tour

Established in 1874, the University of Adelaide is the third oldest university in Australia. Its main campus on North Terrace, nestled in the cultural heart of the city, adjacent to the Art Gallery of South Australia, the South Australian Museum and the State Library of South Australia, contains some of Adelaide's most iconic and historically significant buildings.

As the earliest home of...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Adelaide's Historical Religious Buildings

Adelaide's Historical Religious Buildings

Adelaide's religious scene is quite diverse, boasting a wealth of denominations such as Christian (like Catholic, Anglican, Uniting, or Orthodox), Islamic, and others. Quite naturally, over the years this has given rise to a rich tapestry of religious sites, many of which today are considered Australia's heritage.

Among these landmarks is Saint Mary's Catholic Church, an iconic...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 6.5 Km or 4 Miles
Adelaide Squares and Monuments Tour

Adelaide Squares and Monuments Tour

Adelaide is a modern metropolis with spacious squares, both functional and beautiful, providing flexible spaces for the community and accommodating a variety of activities. There is also a multitude of historical monuments and statues found in the central quarters of the city. Wandering along the cultural North Terrace boulevard, you will pass by some of the most striking of them.

Most of these...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles