'Issued by the Council of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia, South Australian Branch. Adelaide: W.K. Thomas & Co,. Printers, Grenfell Street. 1891.'

Each member of the expedition was given a handbook of instructions. The handbook was compiled by the Society's Council which included George Woodroffe Goyder (1826-1898) the Surveyor General and Sir Charles Todd (1826-1910) who had supervised the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line. Other members of Council were also experienced in the bush and in exploration. They also drew upon the publications of the Royal Geographical Society (London) who had been guiding and advising explorers since 1831.