National Trust Tasmanian Heritage Register 14C - Lune River, Ranelagh and Southport

Lune River Area
The most popular fossicking area in southern Tasmania is Lune River, which produces mostly lapidary material.

• River materials include agate, carnelian, onyx and sardonyx, jasper, petrified wood and petrified fern. Occasionally agate geodes have vughs with clear quartz crystals inside, rarely citrine or amethyst.
• The materials are concentrated in an underground gravel layer of variable depth. In some places around Lune River you can see the material strewn on the surface, especially after logging. In other places the gravel layer is meters below the ground.

Fossicking in the area yields petrified fern (commonly, but incorrectly, described as manfern), agate, petrified wood and jasper.

• The petrified fern is highly prized in lapidary circles and this is one of the few sources of the material known within Tasmania.
• The material is derived from the weathering of some Jurassic basalt and sedimentary rocks and is geologically unique in Tasmania, and therefore of geological significance.
• see Boris and Chrystine’s fantastic collection of Tasmanian minerals at Lunaris Gemstones, 175 Lune River Road.

Lune Mill River House	Map of Lune River, Tasmania Australia
Ida Bay Railway	Fossicking results in the Area of Lune River

Map of Southern Tasmania Heritage Sites

Lune River, TasmaniaLune River is a town in south-eastern Tasmania, Australia located near the mouth of a river of the same name. Wikipedia

• The Lune River area is noted for its fossils, particularly those from the Jurassic period.[2]
• The Lune River township is the departure point for the Ida Bay Railway.

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Lune River National Heritage

13 results found.

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LR1. Actaeon Island Game Reserve, Catamaran, TAS, Australia

Aerial View of Actaeon Island, Tasmania by Roger Barnes

Actaeon Island is a 15.65 ha dolerite island game reserve in south-eastern Australia off Southport Lagoon (largest island to the Eastern end of this map).
It is part of the Actaeon Island Group, lying close to the south-eastern coast of Tasmania, at the southern entrance to the D'Entrecasteaux Channelbetween Bruny Island and the mainland. There is a navigation beacon on the highest point, 14 m asl

Actaeon Island Game Reserve,

The island, particularly the lower, southern part is completely surrounded by wave-worn dolerite cobbles and these form a narrow tombolo, some 100 m long, which links the two bedrock parts of the island. Ridges and terraces on the tombolo, and a general lack of vegetation (compared to the islands), indicate it is continually reworked by storm waves (Criteria: A.2, D.1).

Interestingly, the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot is historically known from the Actaeon Islands Game Reserve. Other heath birds include the southern emu-wren and the striated field wren.

• On the evening of 12 March 1835 the George III, a convict transportation vessel, enroute from Great Britain to the colony, struck a reef directly offshore from the Actaeon conservation area. The ship quickly began to break up. Convicts were confined to the hold at gunpoint until the ship’s longboat was launched and taking its first load of occupants to the safety of the nearby shore.
• The resultant loss of life from this shipwreck means it still stands as Tasmania’s third worst maritime accident.
• None of the ship’s officers lost their lives, nor any soldiers. However 128 convicts, three children, the wife of a soldier and two crew members were drowned. In 1839 a monument, in the form of an inscribed tomb, was placed on Southport Bluff to record the event. (George 111 Monument).
• (Indicative Place) Register of the National Estate

LR2. Adamsons Falls Area Strathblane

An interesting walk through wet forest with a rainforest understorey to a spectacular
waterfall (after rain). Often Lyrebirds can be seen.

The area grades from open dolerite talus on the summit of Adamsons Peak
through subalpine scrub to rainforest and wet eucalypt forests on the wet south
and south-east facing slopes.
Adamsons Falls plunge spectacularly over an escarpment of Permian mudstone.

LR3. Cox Bight Area, Lune River, TAS, Australia

 
The area covers most of the catchment of the short coastal stream, Cox Creek. Swampy sedgelands cover the flat valley floor. On the seaward slopes of the Bathurst Range are found rainforests dominated by myrtle, leatherwood and horizontal. The vulnerable plant, LOMATIA TASMANICA, is found in this forest. The very popular south coast walking track traverses the broad fine white sand beach.

• Registered on the Register of the National Estate #11928

LR4. Esperance - Adamsons Peaks Area, Strathblane, TAS, Australia

Adamsons Peak is an important area for increasing understanding of Holocene vegetation history and displays evidence of past glaciation. (Criterion A1)

• Adamsons Peak has a very rich alpine flora. (Criterion A2)
• Between Adamsons Peak and Esperance Peak 'windrows' of shrubbery have formed which are aligned with the prevailing westerly winds.These windrows are separated by short alpine heaths.

The peaks provide excellent views to the world heritage area.

• There is a palynological site at Adamsons Peak.
• Adamsons Peak also displays evidence of past glacial activity through presence of cirque formation.
• Adamsons Peak is significant for rare and endangered plants - SENECIO PAPILLOSUS (rated by Briggs and Leigh as 2rca), TROCHOCARPA DISTICHA (2rc-), MONOTOCA aff. LINIFOLIA (3rca) and GEUM TALBOTIANUM (3rca). PSEUDOPANAX GUNNII (3rca) and PHEBALIUM OLDFIELDII (3rc-) are also likely to be within the area. The area has moderate wilderness values. (Criterion B1)
• Registered on the Register of the National Estate #11934

LR5, T29. Exit Cave State Reserve Lune River, TAS

• Largest and longest limestone cave in Australia.

With a length of 23 km, Exit is the longest known cave in Australia, and is noted for its immense chambers, sandy stream bank deposits and impressive glow-worm display. The Exit Cave area is now contained within the Southwest National Park. At this time access is restricted to authorised speleological parties.

• Applications for permits for caves in the south, should be made to the Senior Ranger, 24 Main Rd, Huonville, 7109. Fax (03) 6264 8473
• Registered (originally termed "East Cave"}
• Exit Cave is a large, multi-entrance system in Southern Tasmania.
• It is arguably the longest cave system in Australia. Read more: Exit Cave
• Register of the National EstateRecord Identifier: 11921

LR6, N4, T26. Hastings Caves State Reserve, Lune River, TAS

    
The Hastings Caves State Reserve is the setting of a complex of caves and a natural hot springs located 102 km south of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Newdegate Cave, the largest dolomite cave in Australia open to tourists, is a part of the complex. More at Wikipedia

Hastings Caves

Hastings Thermal Pool

Hastings Caves State Reserve offers visitors a variety of from relaxing in the warm waters of a thermal springs pool, walking in the rich forests of the reserve and, of course, the unique experience of exploring Newdegate Cave on a guided tour.

• Named after Sir Francis Newdegate, the Governor of Tasmania from 1917-1920, Newdegate Cave is the largest tourist cave in Australia which occurs in dolomite, rather than limestone. Adamson s Falls and Adamson s Peak, the Mystery Creek Caves are accessed from Hastings.
• (Registered) on the Register of the National Estate

N5, LR7. Ida Bay State Reserve, Ida Bay Road, Lune River, TAS

The 425 hectare Ida Bay State Reserve is managed for the protection of its historic, recreational and natural values.

• A narrow gauge railway, built around 1920, and extensively upgraded in the 1940s is located within the State reserve. It runs along the southern shore of the Lune River estuary and terminates at Deephole Bay.
• The railway was originally established to transport limestone from Ida Bay quarries to vessels berthed first within the Lune River Estuary, and later at Deephole Bay. The railway has, discontinuously since 1981, been operated under a lease agreement as a tourist attraction. There is access to Southport Lagoon and King George III monument via railway operation.
• Aboriginal middens are present in the reserve. The area is the habitat for plant species with restricted distributions in Tasmania, CAESIA ALPINA (r2) and CALADENIA VULGARIS (r3).

LR8. Lune River Geological Sites Lune River Road, Lune River, TAS, Australia

Lune River Geoheritage Site is important for its geoheritage values. That is, it contains features or processes which demonstrate the principal characteristics of the regional geodiversity (geology, landforms, soils), or which are unusual or outstanding aspects of it.

• Geodiversity has intrinsic value within any systematic approach to heritage identification and conservation. It is also fundamental to the integrity of broader ecological processes, contributing to the richness and interest of our environment, and provides opportunities for scientific study of the earth's development.
• The two first order geological provinces in Tasmania, the Fold Structure Province and the Fault Structure Province meet at the place, demonstrating the basic elements of the Tasmanian landscape. There is a high degree of diversity of rock types and formations representative of these major divisions.
• The bedrock geology ranges from Jurassic (150 my BP) dolerite and basalt, Triassic (200 my BP) sandstone, Permian (250 my BP) mudstone, Ordovician (424 - 520 my BP) limestone to pre-Cambrian (600 my BP) dolomite. Structural landforms include a fault-line escarpment, strike ridge and residual basalt ridges and spurs. (Criterion A.3) [Identified in an earlier listing]
• The Lune River Geological Site is the only known place in Tasmania and one of only three places in Australia where Jurassic basalt occurs. It is also the only known place in Tasmania where fossils are associated with Jurassic basalt. These include an array of plant materials from ferns and primitive coniferous trees. Several specimens of the fossil plant material represents type localities for the description of the various species. (Criteria B.1, C.1) [Identified in an earlier listing]

Diverse depositional glacial features overlay the bedrock. The area around Lune River is one of only two places in Tasmania with evidence of glaciation to present sea level. (Criterion B.1)

• (Indicative Place) Register of the National Estate

LR9. Lune River Timber Tramway Group,Lune River, TAS, Australia

The Lune River Timber Tramway and Log Hauler Group is important for its association with the timber industry, and as a good and highly intact example of a timber transport complex (Criteria A.4 and D.2).

The timber industry is a major Tasmanian industry and has been operating since the early nineteenth century. During the 1850s, timber getting was revolutionised with the introduction of the timber tramway that enabled the movement of large and regular volumes of timber from the bush to mills and wharves. This form of transport operated until at least the 1950s.

The Lune River Timber Tramway - Marble Hill Spurline is a good and relatively intact example of a timber tramline associated with this major phase of timber harvesting. It retains some of the most impressive timber tramline in the southern forests. While such tramlines have been numerous and extensive, the Marble Hill Spurline generally appears to be in better condition and display a higher level of integrity than most other surviving tramlines. For example, it includes a timber landing which is one of the better preserved features of its type. (Criteria A4 and D2)

The Lune River Tramway Log Hauler Group is a good and highly intact example of a log hauler site associated with this major phase of timber harvesting. While such log haulers have been numerous, the Lune River Tramway Log Hauler Group generally appears to be in better condition and display a high level of integrity. (Criteria A4 and D2)
The following description is based on Kostoglou 1994:

• Lune River Timber Tramway - The line seems to have consisted of two principal spurs branching off the main line at a point 2 km west of the river side sawmill.
• The main line departed the mill and traversed an easy grade over a plain before branching at the two km mark. The line can still be plainly traced to the fork. The nominal grade only required minimal bridgework and the remnant line therefore consists of a sleeper sequence with parallel spar rails laid over the top. The numerous fires through this dry sclerophyll plain have destroyed several sections of the main line.
• From the junction, the northern spur traverses north west for a km before turning due west and following the south bank of Lune River for another 2 km to its suspected terminus. A lesser spurline heads westward from the main line 1 km south of the junction.
• The southern spurlines are the longer spurline sequence, measuring some 11 km in total. From the junction this line proceeds south for three km before branching into four tertiary spurlines. These tertiary spurs travel to Lune Sugarloaf, Marble Hill, Mystery Creek and Tom's Bottom.

LR10, N9. Maatsuyker Island and Surrounds, Catamaran, TAS

Maatsuyker Island is the second largest (after De Witt) of six islands in the Maatsuyker group.

• The island is roughly triangular in shape and covers about 190 hectares, its highest point being approximately 280 metres above sea level. The island lies ten kilometres from the Tasmanian mainland.
• Maatsuyker Island is part of the Western Tasmania Wilderness National Parks World Heritage Area, and is scenically spectacular, with jagged cliffs rising precipitously from the sea and jumbled rocks and boulders on the shoreline.
• Several sea caves occur on the coast of the island. The smaller Walker Island lies to the north of Maatsuyker Island, and The Needles, a chain of pyramidal rocks 100 metres in height, lie to the south.
• The latter are devoid of vegetation except a few plants of Bower Spinach (TETRAGONIA IMPLEXICOMA) and Pigface (CARPOBROTUS ROSSII) near their summits.
• Walker Island is small (11 hectares) and steep-sided with severely stunted, wind-pruned vegetation. It provides breeding habitat for many species of birds.

Maatsuyker Light Station (including Lighthouse and Keepers Houses), Maatsuyker Island

• see listing above
• Tasmanian Heritage Register #3579

LR11. De Witt Island Catamaran, TAS

De Witt Island, also known as Big Witch, is an island located close to the south-western coast of Tasmania, Australia.

• The 516-hectare (1.99 sq mi) island is the largest of the Maatsuyker Islands Group, and comprises part of the Southwest National Park and the Tasmanian WildernessWorld Heritage Site.
• The islands are erosional remnants of the Tasmanian mainland, and are typically steep-sided and rocky.
• The island is listed on the Australian Register of the National Estate.[2]

De Witt Island is important for natural landscapes and for its undisturbed catchments. It is a relatively undisturbed area with topographic and catchment integrity where natural processes remain essentially unmodified and unimpeded by human intervention (Criterion A.2).

• It is also significant as an area of high wilderness quality and for its importance in maintaining existing natural processes (Criterion A.2).
• Wikipedia
• Jane Cooper: They Could Spend A Year Searching For Me...
• Register of the National Estate #102860

LR12. Spider Den Area Hastings Caves Road, Lune River, TAS, Australia

Tasmanian Cave Spider

Photo by Paul Flood
Dwelling in the underground world of caves is an astonishing array of fascinating creatures. Tasmania has one of the richest known cave faunas in temperate Australia, including spiders, crickets, beetles, slaters, snails, harvestmen, millipedes, pseudoscorpions and many other invertebrates.

Cave ecosystems directly depend upon the surrounding surface environment. This means it is essential that we maintain the natural soil, vegetation, and water quality around caves. The special nature of karst makes it particularly vulnerable to degradation and such areas should be treated with special care.

SPIDER DEN is a significant site in terms of the evolution of invertebrate fauna, with important implications for evolutionary biology and the relationships of species within their particular zoological classifications.

• It is suggested that such species may have important implications for determining the effects and evolution of climate change (Hamilton- Smith, 1970; Holsinger, 1988). There are several new species including cave adapted Invertebrates: isopods, millipedes, spiders and a troglobitic harvestman (Clarke, 1997a).
• Caves such as SPIDER DEN act as a refugia for invertebrate species In both evolutionary and bio-geographic distributional terms. Some cave invertebrate species such as Hickmanoxyomma cavaticum (Variety 3): [a species for which Spider Den is the type locality] have a disjunct (vicariant) distribution and/ or are distributional relicts which have evolved as reproductively isolated species in SPIDER DEN with no present surface-dwelling ancestor species (Clarke, 1997a; Hunt, 1990).

The section of the surrounding North Lune limestone karst in the broader nominated area has been glaciated and this glacio-karst area has evolved with significant natural features. These important features along with the subterranean drainage contribute to the overall integrity of the SPIDER DEN site and the inter-connected karst bio-space which contains the invertebrate cave fauna (Clarke, 1997b) and assist in the maintenance of the cave refugia for gene pool diversity and speciation.
Tasmanian cave spider
This endemic spider is the largest in Tasmania. A troglophile (an animal that can and does live in caves, but is capable of surviving outside), it is common in the entrance, twilight and transition zones of caves.

• It also dwells in suitably dark, sheltered surface habitats such as in hollow logs or underneath buildings. It spins a large horizontal sheet web, around 1m across.
• The spider’s main prey is cave crickets. Tasmanian cave spiders are believed to live for many years.
• Mating involves a prolonged courtship, which begins with the male signalling his approach to the female by gently plucking the silk strands of her web. He carefully approaches the female whilst gently tapping her with his front legs. This signal seems to deter the female from attacking and eventually the two may join together.

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Lune River Local Heritage

3 records found

LR13. Cottage, RA 175 Lune River Road, Lune River

This is a weatherboard house with a steeply pitched hipped roof featuring a gabled roofed dormer window. 
There is a verandah, with simple timber posts and a bullnosed roof, over a central door and flanking double hung windows. 

• ARCHITECTURAL STYLE:- Victorian Georgian
• Tasmanian Heritage Register #3577

LR14.  House 230 Lune River Road, Ida Bay

This building is of historic heritage significance because of its ability to demonstrate the principal characteristics of a single storey stuccoed Victorian domestic building.
Description: This is a single storey stuccoed building with a primary hipped roof and a projecting gable on both ends with a simple verandah between. Under this verandah is a centrally placed door and flanking double hung windows.

• ARCHITECTURAL STYLE:- Victorian
• Tasmanian Heritage Register #3569

LR15. Ida Bay Railway RA 328 Lune River Road, Lune River

(including abandoned sections and operating sections)
The Ida Bay Railway is the last original bush tram in Australia with the outer terminus being the southernmost railway station in the country. The quarry (and thus the railway) is of heritage significance as a rare and outstanding example of of the Decauville method of removing quarried stone from the work face by means of portable narrow gauge track sections.

Description: The site includes approximately six kilometres of operational railway track from the Ida Bay Works to Elliot Beach and all rolling stock associated with the railway and its former operations including the Malcolm Moore Rail Tractors, Hunslet B-N 1844 steam locomotive of 1936, rail motor, bogie flat wagons and associated buildings.
History:
The Tramway was opened in 1919 to facilitate the transportation of Limestone from the quarry west of Lune River to a jetty at Ida Bay.[1]During 1975, freight operations ceased. The Tramway was purchased by the Tasmanian Government in 1977 and leased to private operators for the purpose of a tourist attraction.[1] Various lease holders ran the railway for years struggling to make a profit, but in 2004 the Line re-opened and has been running successfully for the last several years.

The two-hour round trip runs from the Lune River station through buttongrass bushland to the banks of Ida Bay and then onto the old limestone pier at Deep Hole, for a beachside stop before returning to the station.
Marked bushwalking tracks lead to Southport Lagoon. Barbecu facilities, toilets, picnic lunches, group bookings, twilight tours and overnight camping spots are also available.

• Tasmanian Heritage Register #8215

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Lune River Heritage no longer registered

LR16. Limestone Quarries, Cockle Creek, Lune River

Mystery Creek Caves Track

Mystery Creek Caves Track

• Originally Registered by the Tasmanian National Trust
• Located on the eastern outskirts of the Southwest National Park, near the Ida Bay Railway, the Mystery Creek Caves track is a unique walking experience combining railroad and mining history with accessible and stimulating caving experiences.
• Originally constructed as a tramway to facilitate a limestone quarry, the trail is mostly flat and easily managed by walkers of all levels.
• The trail begins at the information shelter adjacent to the carpark and follows the muddy tramway track through spectacular dense forest for the first 1km. Keep an eye out of the many mining and rail relics that litter the edges of the trail as you meander your way through the forest.
  The quarry is soon reached and the trail continues along the lefthand side of the quarry face.

LR17. Lune Mill River House, Lune Mill Road in the far South of Tasmania

Only one of its kind. Once a mill. On the edge of world heritage wilderness and beautiful waterways. Rustic but comfortable with power, plenty of hot water, digital tv. 3 bedrooms
Can anyone help with information of this historic building? Please add to the discussion below.

• Photographs
• Hire booking - contact lunemillriverhouse@gmail.com Mobile (61) 0425254340 or (61) 0401818667 LuneMillRiverhouse.com

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Port Huon and Kermandie

Port Huon and Kermandie

Map of Port Huon TAS 7116

Port Huon is a small community with big, sweeping views of the Huon River, Bruny Island, D'Entrecasteaux Channel and the Hartz Mountains.

• Port Huon was once a busy trading port and the destination for international apple boats that transported and exported the region's famous apples to the world. The original port remains and is a quaint reminder of the glory days of apple growing.
• Today, Port Huon is a departure point for boat cruises up the Huon River and is the site of some of Tasmania's successful Atlantic salmon farms. It's also a great place to stop and take in the views.

The Kermandie Hotel is the jewel in Port Huon's crown and has been providing food, drink and a rest stop for travellers since 1932. The hotel also has its own marina - perfect for boating types to rest their vessels.

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Port Huon Local Heritage

PH1. Hartz View 4436 Main Road, Port Huon

• Sold $135,000 in May 1989
• Land size: 2,271 sqm; Building size: 131 sqm; Build year: 1890

Hartz View is of historic heritage significance because of its association with the prominent local timber merchants, the Geeves family, who built it.

• This site is of historic heritage significance because its townscape associations are regarded as important to the communitys sense of place.
• Hartz View is of historic heritage significance because of its ability to demonstrate the principal characteristics of a single storey weatherboard Victorian Rustic Gothic domestic building.

Description: This is a weatherboard house with opposing gable roofs, double hung attic windows and a verandah.

• ARCHITECTURAL STYLE:- Victorian Rustic Gothic
• Tasmanian Heritage Register #7147

T15, PH2. Weatherboard Cottage, Huon Highway, Shipwright's Point, Port Huon

Honeywood 4308 Huon Highway, Port Huon

also known as: Honeywood 4308 Huon Highway, Port Huon

• 1850, Registered as Honeywood 4308 Huon Highway, Port Huon

Honeywood is of historic heritage significance because of its ability to demonstrate the principal characteristics of a single storey weatherboard Victorian Georgian domestic building.
Description: This is a weatherboard cottage with a central door, flanking double hung windows and hipped roof with narrow boxed eaves.

• Timber, hip roof and verandah
• The verandah on the street facade has hipped ends and single posts.
• There is a gabled roofed addition to the rear which is also of weatherboard construction.
  • ARCHITECTURAL STYLE:- Victorian Georgian
  • Tasmanian Heritage Register #3584

T16, PH3. Stonehaven 44 Doodys Hill Road, Kermandie

• (Weatherboard House, Kermandie Estuary)
• (R. Hill), c 1860, Registered
• Sale listing with photographs

A single storey weatherboard Victorian Georgian domestic building. This is a single storey weatherboard building with a hipped roof, double hung windows flanking a central door and a verandah with timber posts and brackets.

• The home has 3 bedrooms, the main with built in robe, there are Baltic pine ceilings throughout, the sitting room boasts dado board and there is pretty decorative borders in most rooms.
• ARCHITECTURAL STYLE:- Victorian Georgian;
  Tasmanian Heritage Register listed #3533

Kermandie Panorama

PH4. House RA 34 Percy Street, Port Huon

This place has strong meaning for the community because it demonstrates aspects of Victorian society and contributes and historical element in the landscape. This house (and outbuildings) is of historic heritage significance because of its ability to demonstrate the principal characteristics of a single storey weatherboard Victorian Rustic Gothic domestic building. These characteristics are found in the external form, construction methods and the detailing, both externally and internally.

Description: It is a single storey weatherboard building with hipped and gabled roof forms, timber bargeboards and a verandah with bracketed posts. There are outbuildings with random stone bases and timber cladding.

• ARCHITECTURAL STYLE:- Victorian Rustic Gothic
• Tasmanian Heritage Register #3538
• Demolished? Not visible through Satellite photographs.

PH5. House, 4208 Huon Highway, Port Huon

This building is of historic heritage significance because of its ability to demonstrate the principal characteristics of a single storey weatherboard Victorian Rustic Gothic domestic building.
Description: This is a weatherboard house with a gabled roof, three gable roofed dormer windows, a projecting gabled roof and a raised verandah with a timber rail. The verandah returns around the corner of the house and terminates at a smaller projecting gable on the side of the house.

• ARCHITECTURAL STYLE:- Victorian Rustic Gothic
• Huon Valley Tasmanian Heritage Register #3583

PH6. House, 4030 Old Huon Highway, Castle Forbes Bay

This building is of historic heritage significance because of its ability to demonstrate the principal characteristics of a single storey weatherboard Victorian Georgian domestic building.
Description: This is a single storey weatherboard cottage with a central door and flanking double hung windows. There is a verandah over the main entry door that features single timber posts.

• ARCHITECTURAL STYLE:- Victorian Georgian
• Tasmanian Heritage Register #3464

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Ranelagh, Tasmania

Image result

Map of Ranelagh, Tasmania Australia

Ranelagh is a township in the Huon Valley of Tasmania, Australia. A satellite town of Huonville, which it is adjacent to, it is a former agricultural area and now a tourist town and residence for workers who commute to other areas for work. Wikipedia

• A satellite town of Huonville, which it is adjacent to, it is a former agricultural area and now a tourist town and residence for workers who commute to other areas for work. At the 2011 census, Ranelagh had 1,027 people.[1]
• It is best known for the Ranelagh Showgrounds which host the annual Huon Show and Taste of the Huon events which are major tourism attractions for the Huon Valley.

Wilmot St holds the heritage-listed Clifton estate (previously Matilda's of Ranelgh)[7][8] St Marys of the Cross Catholic Church and St James Anglican Church and respective cemeteries.[9] Ranelagh also includes the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy winning Home Hill Winery[10] and Huon Bush Retreats.

Ranelagh is only a few kilometres from Huonville and is now almost a suburb of the larger town. 

• A farm was established on one square mile of land which stretched from Ironstone Creek to the river. This property was originally known as Victoria and included the present site of Huonville. It was here that one of the largest hopfields in Tasmania was established.
• At the time it seemed that Ranelagh would become the major centre in the valley. However the construction of the bridge further downstream ensured that Huonville prospered while Ranelagh made little progress.
• It is a comment on the changing fortunes of the two settlements that Ranelagh has three churches (Anglican, Roman Catholic and Uniting) while Huonville, now the larger centre, has only one (Congregational).
• Located on the Huon River 39 km southwest of Hobart, Huonville is a small but thriving community serving the surrounding apple, timber and hops industries. Although it is relatively small Huonville is recognised as the major centre in the Huon Valley.
• No Ranelagh properties are on the Australian Heritage Register.

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Ranelagh Local Heritage

6 Records found

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R1. Amesbury 51 Agnes Street, Ranelagh TAS

Sold $545,000 in May 2011; Last Sold $500,000 in Jul 2009

This is a single storey weatherboard house with a projecting hipped roof on the
street facade with a cant bay window. There is a second projecting hipped roof
on the side elevation. Between these two is a return verandah with cast iron brackets.
The front door has side and top lights and features six panels. The windows are double hung.

• ARCHITECTURAL STYLE:- Victorian domestic
• Tasmanian Heritage Register #3586

R2. Clifton, now Matilda's, 2 Louisa Street, Ranelagh TAS

A ten-bedroom, nine-bathroom property, 2 Louisa Street, Ranelagh, named 'Clifton', was asking for $1,750,000, and comes with a royal stamp of approval, having been visited by the Queen in the 1970s during a Royal Tour.

• The visit was covered at the time in the Australian Women's Weekly, with an example of the article displayed in the library of the home.
• The Queen's brief visit to Ranelagh was part of Tasmania's presentation of the apple harvesting process.

While the entire property is circa 1850, the main house was built from 1865 and is a landmark of the Huon Valley having once been part of a significant family enterprise before selling outside of the family for the first time in 2000.

• The property includes a 25-room house, two cottage rooms, a four-car carport, a three-storey hop drying kilm called Oast House, which includes guest accommodation, two apple pickers' huts and a number of sheds.
• One of the cottages, Tilly's Cottage, was remodelled in 2007 out of a 1960s paint-shed for bed and breakfast guests, with these properties all being constructed at different times.

Read the story and view the pictures at propertyobserver.com

Matilda's is a grand, twenty five room farm house that forms part of Clifton; a five acre National Trust listed property, bounded by Mountain River.
The house was lived in by five generations of the same family between 1855 and 2000, and welcomed the first accommodation guests in 2001, going on to collect several tourism awards.

• The grounds include massive specimens of Oak, Maple and Plane trees, hidden corners and historic outbuildings, including charming sheds, Pickers Huts and the magnificent Oast House, which was fully restored by the current owners in 2012.
• The extensive gardens - adorned with more charm than order - provide bulbs in spring, roses in summer, a golden brilliance in autumn and a restful calm in winter.
• Read more at propertyobserver.com.au

This is a weatherboard building with a series of projecting gabled roofs to the front. These are detailed with brackets and weatherboard skirts. There is also a timber verandah with brackets. To the rear of the building is a courtyard. Some early sections of this building are sandstone. The site also contains a timber oast house with an hexagonal drying tower.

• ARCHITECTURAL STYLE:- Federation Queen Anne
• Tasmanian Heritage Register #3589

R3. 'Avondale' 209 Lollara Road, Ranelagh TAS

"Privately set back from the road behind established myrtle hedges, with a playful fenced lawn, this heritage listed 1920s home was superbly restored in 2013.

• No stone was left unturned in the tasteful and classic renovations which have enhanced the true character of the pressed tin ceilings, original architraves, doors and polished Tasmanian Oak floors."

"Historically, a significant property in the area, once the central part of a large apple orchard, and a local dairy, the legacy of these pasts remain in the original large apple shed and dairy."

• This building is of historic heritage significance because of its ability to demonstrate the principal characteristics of a single storey weatherboard Victorian style domestic building.

Description: This is a single storey weatherboard house with a projecting hipped roof on the street facade with a cant bay window. There is a second projecting hipped roof on the side elevation. Between these two is a return verandah with cast iron brackets. The front door has side and top lights and features six panels. The windows are double hung.

• Sale listing and photographs
• ARCHITECTURAL STYLE:- Federation/Victorian
• Tasmanian Heritage Register #3593

R4. House, 60 Helen Street, Ranelagh

This building is of historic heritage significance because its townscape associations are regarded as important to the communitys sense of place. This building is of historic heritage significance because of its ability to demonstrate the principal characteristics of a single storey weatherboard Victorian domestic building.

Description: This is a weatherboard house with a complex hipped roof, projecting gabled roof with a fretted timber barge board and verandah that turns around the corner of the house terminating on a second projecting gable. There are several hipped roofed extensions to the rear of the building.

• ARCHITECTURAL STYLE:- Victorian
• Tasmanian Heritage Register #3592

R5. House, 150 Lollara Road, Ranelagh

Sold $700,000 in Dec 2014; Last Sold $239,000 in Jun 2007

This building is of historic heritage significance because of its ability to demonstrate the principal characteristics of a single storey weatherboard Victorian domestic building.
Description: This is a single storey weatherboard house with a projecting hipped roof on the street facade with a cant bay window. There is a second projecting hipped roof on the side elevation. Between these two is a return verandah with cast iron brackets. The front door has side and top lights and features six panels. The windows are double hung.

• ARCHITECTURAL STYLE:- Victorian
• Huon Valley Tasmanian Heritage Register 3588

R6, T3. St. James Anglican Church, Wilmot Road, Ranelagh

• Registered, Tasmanian Heritage Register Place ID #3590
• The first church of St James', Ranelagh was built in 1853 in brick. This was replaced by another Hunter designed timber church in 1880 but was unfortunately destroyed by fire in 1885.
• The current church, also heritage listed, was completed in 1896. The existing church was consecrated by Bishop Montgomery on 8 November 1896.[1]
  • Websites: Parishes | Anglican Church in Tasmania - St James' Anglican Church Ranelagh (organ)
  • Tasmanian Heritage Register Place ID #3590
• Read all about Ranelagh Anglican Church
• 

History of the parish

The parish, which is the southernmost in the Anglican Church in Australia, had its beginnings in 1839 with the consecration of a wooden church (St Mary’s) built for the settlement by Lady Franklin. St Mary’s was replaced by St John’s Church, designed by the great Pugin disciple Henry Hunter which was consecrated in May 1864.

• It is a gem of a small 19th Century gothic revival church and is heritage listed. In the 1840s there was also a stone church at Southport associated with the Probation station. The first church of St James', Ranelagh was built in 1853 in brick. This was replaced by another Hunter designed timber church in 1880 but was unfortunately destroyed by fire in 1885.

The current church, also heritage listed, was completed in 1896. The existing church was consecrated by Bishop Montgomery on 8 November 1896.

By the second half of the 19th Century the Parish included the Huon Valley, the Channel and the Far South with 12 church centres. It was a big area on horseback or foot for a rector.

• Towards the end of the latter half of the 19th century Cygnet-Channel became a separate parish.
• By the 1940’s the Huon had become three parishes all with rectories: Franklin, Geeveston and Esperance.
• The latter half of the 20th century saw the gradual amalgamation back to one parish.

In recent times many churches have been either sold or destroyed by bush fires. These include:

• St Andrew’s Mountain River
• St David’s Crabtree
• St Peter’s Cradoc
• St Andrew’s Port Huon
• St Bartholomew’s Strathblane, Southport & Glendevie
• St Paul’s Dover

Currently about 50 people regularly worship each Sunday in the parish which comprises two centres. It boasts a picturesque landscape of sweeping hills, rivers, mountains and fertile valleys, and is known for its diversity in agriculture, fisheries and forestry. The area borders the Hartz Mountains and South West National Park.

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No Longer Heritage Listed in Ranelagh

2 Records found

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T1. Stone House (Lucas) (c1860) Lucaston Road Ranelagh

• Registered
• Possibly ruins? at Tahune Fields nursery entrance: 106 Lucaston Rd, Lucaston TAS 7109

T2. Glen House, Glen Road, Ranelagh

• (Thos. Walton, originally used as a school) Registered

Empire Day at Ranelagh State School 1918

• Former Home of G.T. Stilwell, Glen House, Ranelagh
• possibly demolished?

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Southport Lagoon

Map of Southport, Tasmania Australia

Southport, TasmaniaSouthport is a small township in far south Tasmania, the most southern township in Australia. The suburb of Southport had a population of 372 in 2011. Wikipedia
Australia's southernmost settlement

Southport local tourist information sign

Southport now

Like most of the southwest coast Southport was first explored by Admiral Bruni D'Entrecasteaux in 1792 who named the bay 'Baie des Moules' (Mussel Bay).

It can, however, hardly claim to be a settlement of much significance any more, a far cry from the early 1800's when it was Tasmania's second largest town and it was proposed as the capital of the colony.Located 104 km southwest of Hobart, Southport can claim to be the southernmost settlement in Australia.

Now a sleepy coastal village off the main road, in the early 1800s Southport was a convict station, bustling mill town and international port.

Being Tasmania's second largest town at that time, it was proposed as the capital of the colony. Today, it is just a nice quiet spot to relax, go swimming, sail the calm waters of Southport Bay, walk on the beach or a little fishing.

• Where is it?: 104 km south west of Hobart, in the Huon Valley.

Southport township was founded on 16th February 1864 but the Southport Probation Station was built in 1841. To Southport there were sent 500 male convicts.

• Southport was the southern most probation station built right on the shore a few miles north of the whaling settlement of Recherche Bay.

Discovery

On September 28th 1791 two ships sailed from Brest. Significantly renamed Recherche and Esperance they represented the hopes and aspirations of an emerging new revolutionary order. 

• France was experiencing a time of great change. King Louis XVI and his family were no longer autocratic rulers and a more egalitarian Constituent Assembly was in place. Several years before Comte de La Prouse had led an expedition of exploration and scientific research into the Pacific. By 1791 he hadn't been heard of for three years not since sending dispatches home from Botany Bay.
• In response to this an expedition was mounted under the command of Rear­ Admiral Bruni d'Entrecasteaux to discover the fate of La Perouse and to engage in scientific study in the South Pacific. He chose his close friend and fellow officer, Huon de Kermadec to command the Esperance.
• Some of the best French scientists applied to join the Expedition, no expense was spared in outfitting the ships and every crew member was deliberately chosen to ensure a successful voyage. By and large most of the officers were Royalists and most of the scientists were Republicans, reflecting the current political trend in France.

• Top of Ironbound Ranges looking toward Louisa Bay and beyond

  D'Entrecasteaux decided to make for the one safe harbour shown on the charts left by Captains Cook and Bligh, Adventure Bay in southern Van Diemen's Land.
• Battered by unrelenting storms the two bedraggled vessels sighted the coast on Van Diemen's Land on the 21 st of April, 1792.
• Due to a navigational error, 19 west instead of 19 East the ships found themselves outside the entrance to a large harbour. Concerned over unfavourable winds and nearby threatening reefs d'Entrecasteaux sent long boats ahead into the bay to do soundings while the two ships tacked for two hours across the entrance. At 4:50 the Admiral signaled 'anchors down' and the weary crew complied.
• But where were they?

The next day the two ships were towed by their long boats into the northern arm of the bay just beyond the present Bennett's Point named by the Hydrographer, Beautemps-Beaupre, Port du Nord. Over the next 26, days the Bay saw much activity.

Southwest National Park is the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

• The ships were careened, timber was cut for repairs and the making of charcoal.
• The botanists Labillardire, Riche and Ventenat busily collected, catalogued and preserved hundreds of hitherto unknown flora and fauna including the Eucalyptus Globulus, Tasmanian Blue gum which later on became the state emblem.

So impressed by the beauty and tranquility of their surrounding the normally unemotional d'Entrecasteaux was moved to record in his journal:

• "...Trees of an immense height and proportionate diameter, their branchless trunks covered with evergreen foliage, some looking as old as the world;
• "...Nature in all her vigour, and yet in a state of decay, seems to offer to the imagination something more picturesque and more imposing than the sight of this same nature bedecked by the hand of civilised man.
• "Wishing only to preserve her beauties we destroy her charm, we rob her of that power which is hers alone, the secret of preserving in eternal age eternal youth."

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Southport National Heritage

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7 Records found:
The history of the area is rich:

• the French National Assembly Expedition of 1792 lead by D'Entrecasteaux used this area as a base for the scientific exploration of Recherche, the Huon, Channel, Derwent region and Bruny Island;
• since then human occupation has principally associated with resource extraction including mining, forestry and whaling While little physical evidence remains to mark these early European activities, those that do exist have heritage value at the local, state and even national level.

Many Aboriginal people once lived in the area, as revealed in the observations of the earliest European expeditioners. While largely unrecorded, Aboriginal sites must still be present in the landscape. These are protected under the Aboriginal Relics Act 1975.

Walk to Southport Lagoon and George III Lookout

N1, S1. D'Entrecasteaux Watering Place Historic Site, Catamaran, TAS

and T31. The Waterhole, D'Entrecasteaux Watering Point, Recherche Bay

The crew of the French expedition under the command of Bruni D'Entrecasteaux obtained water from a small creek here in 1793.
D'Entrecasteaux Watering Place Historic Site 43°34′S 146°53′E

• Registered by the Tasmanian National Trust
• It is the site of the first botanical collecting in Tasmania by Bruni D'Entrecasteaux's 1792 expedition, and all the plants described then are still to be found in the Southport area, including the Tasmanian bluegum Eucalyptus globulus, the floral emblem of Tasmania.
  • In the autumn of 1792 a pair of storm-battered French ships, their crews weatherbeaten and tired, dropped grateful anchor in waters off Tasmania’s south-east coast.
  • The peaceful waterway was later named D’Entrecasteaux Channel and the kidney-shaped bay they chose for their rest and repair became known as Recherche Bay.

D'Entrecasteaux memorial, Recherche Bay

The two ships, La Recherche and L'Espérance

• The historic place comprises the northern headland of Recherche Bay incorporating the camping and operational sites of the expedition (including the garden site, observatory, boat repair site and related work areas, and crew camping area).

  Ian Hansen, The Lyluequonny People Farewell D'Entrecasteax's Ships

• Over the next 26, days the Bay saw much activity. The ships were careened, timber was cut for repairs and the making of charcoal.
  • The botanists Labillardire, Riche and Ventenat busily collected, catalogued and preserved hundreds of hitherto unknown flora and fauna including the Eucalyptus Globulus, Tasmanian Blue gum which later on became the state emblem.
  • Hydrographers Beautemps-Beaupr, Willaumez and others set of in the long boats to chart previously unknown parts of the coast. Their maps were used for generations by other mariners.
  • Rossel set up an observatory on what is now Bennett's Point and discovered Geo-magnetism of great significance to navigational science. An event commemorated by the unveiling of a plaque on the site by the CSIRO during a seminar held in Hobart in 1992.
    "Under calm conditions the following morning both vessels were safely towed by invigorated oarsmen into the bay. They anchored in the northern sector, later termed the Port du Nord, or ‘little bay’, today the unimaginative Pig Sties Bay. They moored over 100 metres from the beach north of Bennetts Point; Recherche lay some 70 metres north of Espérance.

• Recherche Bay

  Gazing at this pristine landscape, Labillardière voiced the ethos of noble nature:
• ‘We were filled with admiration at the sight of these ancient forests, in which the sound of the axe had never been heard.’
  • Turning his eyes towards the harbour, he exclaimed with exaggerated praise that ‘more than 100 vessels of the line might ride here with safety’.
• D’Entrecasteaux felt equally emotional: ‘With every step, one encounters the beauties of unspoilt nature … trees reaching a very great height … are devoid of branches along the trunk, but crowned with an everlasting green foliage. Some of these trees seem as ancient as the world’.
• Matthew Flinders paid him an unreserved compliment, when he praised the discovery of this harbour as ‘the most important discovery which has been made in [Tasmania] from the time of Tasman’.

N2, S2. George III Monument Historic Site, Southport, TAS

Historic early shipwreck in a very scenic area. Flora diverse and some rare species, notably EPACRIS STUARTII.

• The 14.4 hectare historic site is the site of a memorial to the convict ship George III which was wrecked on nearby rocks on its way to Port Arthur in 1835 with the loss of 133 lives. The memorial was erected on this site in 1839.
• On the evening of 12 March 1835 the George III, a convict transportation vessel, enroute from Great Britain to the colony, struck a reef directly offshore from the conservation area. The ship quickly began to break up. Convicts were confined to the hold at gunpoint until the ship’s longboat was launched and taking its first load of occupants to the safety of the nearby shore.
  The resultant loss of life from this shipwreck means it still stands as Tasmania’s third worst maritime accident. None of the ship’s officers lost their lives, nor any soldiers. However 128 convicts, three children, the wife of a soldier and two crew members were drowned.
• In 1839 a monument, in the form of an inscribed tomb, was placed on Southport Bluff to record the event. The monument still stands and its existence is the chief reason for the proclamation of the surrounding historic site. The main inscription on the tomb reads:
  • Near this place are interred the Remains of Many of the Sufferers who perished by the Wreck of the George the III, convict ship,which Vessel struck on a sunken rock near the Actaeon reef
  • On the night of the 12th April 1835 upon which melancholy occasion 134 human beings were drowned
  • This Tomb is Erected by the desire of His Excellency Colonel GEORGE ARTHUR, Lieut.-Governor
  • to mark that sad event, and is placed on this spot by the Major THOMAS RYAN, 50th Regiment
  • One of the Survivors on this Occasion
• Southport Bluff, where the George III Historic Site and monument are located, is the only known locality for the endangered Tasmanian endemic heath species,Epacris stuartii (Keith 1996).

S3, Imlays Southport Whaling Station, Southport, TAS

The Imlay's Southport Whaling Station site is important for its association with the nineteenth century Tasmanian whaling industry and for the good and relatively intact example of a tryworks area.

Imlay shore-based whaling station	'Cutting in', 1848, by William Duke
Village Settlement, Southport Far South Narrows painting	whaleboat

Whaling was a significant early Tasmanian industry. The nature of the whaling grounds led to the development of bay whaling using shore stations. The Imlay's Southport Whaling Station site, from about 1838-43, is a good and relatively intact example of such a shore station associated with the whaling industry. In particular, the tryworks features are considered to be the best preserved remnants of this type of feature in Tasmania. (Criteria A4, B2 and D2

• The typical shore-based station consisted of a crude camp and on-shore processing facilities which employed 20–30 men during the winter months when whales were plentiful. It was a hazardous and physically demanding occupation which could earn the men substantial rewards in a good season, but just as easily leave them near broke in a bad one. Under the 'lay' system they were paid a fixed proportion of the season's catch, providing an incentive for hard work.
• By the 1840s there was a rapid decline in whale numbers visiting Tasmanian shores. Together with changing consumer demands and economic pressures, this led to a shift away from shore-based whaling to pelagic (deep sea) whaling.
• By the late 1870s and 1880s the Tasmanian whaling industry was in decline due to the indiscriminate killing of whale stocks, a lack of sustained investment by local entrepreneurs, as well as external factors such as economic depressions, falling oil prices and the decline of Hobart as a major port. The last Tasmanian-based whaling voyage was completed with the return to Hobart of the Helen on February 22 1900.
• Register of the National Estate, Indicative place

T30. Site of Bay Whaler's Fry Pots, Catamaran Point, Recherche Bay

Catamaran Point, Recherche Bay

• Registered by the Tasmanian National Trust
• Between the late 1830s and early 1840s, four shore-based whaling stations operated in the bays immediately to the north of Southport Bluff. The remains of three of these stations have been identified.
  
• Captain William Fisher was born in Hobart 1813, son of an emancipated convict. He soon acquired the brig Calypso (157 tons) & pursued whaling and other interests, not always within the law.
  
• An 1869 news report claimed he had 12,000 antiscorbutic cabbages growing.
  
• He is remembered by Fisher‘s Point at the southern end of Recherche Bay (where the road ends) marked by a life sized bronze whale sculpture nearby.

Life sized bronze whale sculpture, Catamaran TAS

S4. North East Peninsula of Recherche Bay Lune Bay, TAS, Australia

   
The north east peninsula of Recherche Bay has an important association with the French scientific and exploratory expedition of Rear Admiral Bruni D’Entrecasteaux. It stopped at Recherche Bay in 1792 and in 1793 for about seven weeks in total.

• The relatively extensive, well-documented encounters on the coast of the north east peninsula of Recherche Bay, compared to those in other places and involving other expeditions, between the expedition members and the Tasmanian Aborigines, provided a very early opportunity for meetings and mutual observation.
• The recordings, from the French perspective, of these encounters, are important observations of the lives of the Tasmanian Aboriginal people. The French also camped ashore on the north east peninsula (in 1792), made scientific observations, collected numerous specimens of flora and fauna, and established a vegetable garden (possibly one of several in the wider area intended, unusually, for the economic benefit of the Tasmanian Aboriginal people).

In particular, the place is associated, through Jacques Julien Houtou de Labillardiere’s plant collection, with the very important, first, illustrated, general publication in 1804-06 of Australian plants. Also early French records created here of Tasmanian Aboriginal culture are the best records of Tasmanian Aboriginal society before European settlement and are major contributions to the knowledge of Tasmanian Aboriginal life and society before European settlement.

• (Indicative Place) on the Register of the National Estate

Recherche Bay

A quiet, idyllic bay in the far south of Tasmania beyond the Huon Valley.

Recherche Bay

• The original inhabitants of this area were the Aboriginal people known as the Lyluequonny. Their first encounter with Europeans was with the French, an amicable meeting which could be considered a ‘cultural exchange’. The French expeditions were focused on the scientific study of native flora, fauna, geology and the waterways of Van Diemen’s Land.
• Recherche Bay itself, sheltered from the wildest weather, provided some safe harbour for the influx of early settlers, sealers and convicts. Early industries based initially on coal-mining and whaling became established.
• Coal was sent to Hobart and the oil produced from whales helped the emerging colony with lighting, cooking and the manufacture of soaps and corsets. The bronze whale sculpture that presently sits at Adams Point pays homage to this history.

With such an intense boating industry, and with early access to this area only possible by sea, there was demand for ship-building and local timber-milling was established. 

• One of the features of this somewhat sheltered coastline was that tall forest eucalypts grew close to the shore, making for convenient, though still dangerous, harvesting. Timber was not only required for the local collieries and boat building, but for housing and domestic needs.
• A number of mills were established around the bay over time, with one mill at Cockle Creek run by women during World War II. Tram tracks spread out into the bush to retrieve logs from the hinterland.
• In Recherche Bay during the early part of the 20th century, it appears that the men fished, farmed, worked the mines, the timber mills & were grateful for road making work when it was offered. Some 3000 people lived in the area at the time.

Recherche Bay is a natural area in the south-eastern corner of Tasmania.

• The terrestrial area is dominated by mixed aged tall and dry Eucalyptus obliqua forest with a history of forest harvesting. Beneath the variable E. obliqua canopy, the understorey consists of a sedge and shrub layer and is made up of species typical of the surrounding area.
• The ground layer consists mainly of cutting grass (Gahnia grandis) and bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) whilst the shrub layer contains species such as prickly moses (Acacia verticillata) and silver banksia (B. marginata). Parts of the area include reasonably extensive coastal wetlands dominated by sedges and other plants.

Bruni d'Entrecasteaux	external image Aboriginal%20life.jpg
D'Encastreaux Portrait in "Voyage to Australia and the Pacific 1791–1793"	Aboriginal people fishing, as depicted by French explorers in 1800 (ALMFA, SLT)

• In 1792 D`Entrecasteaux`s expedition sailed up the channel, now bearing his name, charting the coastline & naming features.
• He named the large bay at the top of the channel, North West Bay. The expedition anchored there to collect fresh water. Many aborigines were observed in the area.

From a scientific perspective, the northern peninsula of Recherche Bay was the site, in 1792, of the first deliberate scientific experiment in Australia. This was a geomagnetic measurement undertaken by French naval officer Elisabeth Paul Edouard de Rossel, showing that goemagneticism varied with latitude. It was an experiment of international significance.

• The Tasmanian Aboriginal community has a strong association with the place that is of outstanding significance to the nation because Recherche Bay is associated with the best documentary evidence of Aboriginal culture before European settlement.

People, who by their association with the place, cause the place to have national heritage value, are two members of the 1792 and 1793 French expedition –Labillardiere, botanist, and Rossel, in modern terms, a ‘geoscientist’.

• There are a three small settlements on Recherche Bay Catamaran, Recherche Bay and Cockle Creek. These are the most southern communities in Australia.
• A signpost at Cockle Creek marks the most southerly point in Australia accessible by motor vehicle.
• The southern tip of Tasmania, Australia s southern extremity, which marks the beginning of the South West Walk, is just an hour s walk away.
• Where is it?: 80 km south of Southport.

The bay was the first landing place of French explorer Bruny D'Entrecasteaux who came ashore here for water and stayed for a number of weeks in 1792 to rest his crew and complete maintenance on his ships

• Coal found on North Point by D Entrecasteaux was mined by a team of 43 convicts from 1841 to 1848.
• Mining was abandoned because of seepage in its two shafts due to the mine being so close to sea level.
• National Heritage ListRecord #105665

S5. Pedra Branca Island, Southport Tasmania

• Pedra Branca lies in the Southern Ocean some 26 kilometres south-south east of South East Cape, close to Eddystone Rock. It is only 100m by 270m and reaches a height of 52 metres.
• The island rises abruptly from the ocean and is virtually devoid of vegetation. Many seabirds nest and roost on the island, covering the rocks with guano.

Statement of Significance: Rare phosphate minerals are found on Pedra Branca.

• These minerals occur as cavity fills and cement in sandstone and dolerite rock, and also in phosphate flowstone.
• The former probably formed as a result of interaction between the seabird guano and the bedrock. The minerals are considered to be outstanding nationally.
• The island also has outstanding examples of two geomorphological features providing information on the last glacial period: cemented breccia cones and a well-developed benched shore platform.

Pedra Branca is the only known habitat for the endemic Pedra Branca skink, NIVEOSCINCUS PALFREYMANI, which is nationally listed as vulnerable and which lives among rock cavities near bird nesting sites.

• The island is also an important nesting site for the Australasian gannet, MORUS SERRATOR, and for the shy or white capped albatross, DIOMEDEA CAUTA. The latter is listed as vulnerable in Tasmania and the Pedra Branca colony is one of only three in Australia.
• The colony of the former on Pedra Branca is the third largest in Australia and is the subject of a national long term monitoring program.
• Pedra Branca is also one of the larger seal haul out sites in Tasmania, with three species of seal, the Australian fur seal (ARCTOCEPHALUS PUSILLUS DORIFERUS), the New Zealand fur seal (ARCTOCEPHALUS FORSTERI) and occasionally the SubAntarctic fur seal (ARCTOCEPHALUS TROPICALIS) using it.

Indigenous values probably exist on Pedra Branca. As yet these have not been identified, documented or assessed for national estate significance by the Commission.

• Register of the National Estate #100228

N6, S6. Southport Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary, Lune River, TAS

Southport Lagoon Conservation Area

Lying approximately 80km south of Hobart the 4,280 hectare Southport Lagoon Conservation Area possesses a wide diversity of significant natural, cultural and recreational values.

• The area combines a rich history with a unique natural heritage. The area is the type locality for a large number of Tasmania’s unique native plants.

Southport Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary exhibits an unusual complex of forest, heath and sedgeland communities, and is in a relatively undisturbed state.

• The Messmate (EUCALYPTUS OBLIQUA) forests that cover much of the land area of the Sanctuary have representative significance, and are also significant in that they extend to coastal sand dunes and rocky shores. This is highly unusual at the present time, although it was a common phenomenon in the past.
• The heathland communities in the Sanctuary are particularly rich in species which are no longer found in other coastal regions. The Sanctuary provides important waterbird habitat and breeding ground for a large number of bird species, and is the only known location for a Tasmanian endemic heath species, EPACRIS STUARTII, considered vulnerable at both State and national levels.
• The Sanctuary also provides protection for several plant species which have a restricted distribution in Tasmania: WESTRINGIA BREVIFOLIA, exocarpus SYRTICOLA, and CYATHODES ABIETINA. The latter two species are endemic to Tasmania. Southport Lagoon area was the collection site for the 1792 D'Entrecasteaux Expedition, and the area is therefore a botanical, zoological, geological and anthropological type locality for many Tasmanian specimens, and is an important scientific reference area.

S7. Sterile Island, Catamaran, TAS

Pelican Island, Southport, TAS

Map showing Sterile Island, Centre right

Location: 43°33′S, 146°59′E  Area: 3.68 hectares Status: Game Reserve  Natural Values Sometimes known as Little Actaeon Island, Sterile Island supports breeding populations of little penguins (500 pairs), Pacific gulls (1 pair) and sooty oystercatchers (1 pair). Forest ravens visit the island. Small numbers of metallic skinks occur.

The island is comprised entirely of cobbles with a levee-like rim, presumably formed by storm waves and a central depression.  This is considered to be representative and outstanding for Tasmania (Dixon 1996). The centre of the island is dominated by Poa poiformis, which is surrounded by a strip of shrubs, mainly Olearia phlogopappa. There is an outer zone dominated by Senecio sp which abuts the stony beach. Creeping mats of Tetragonia implexicoma occur on the beach. Cultural Values There is a stone arrangement on the island. (Brown 1986).

Sterile Island is a 3.68 ha island game reserve in south-eastern Australia. It is part of the Actaeon Island Group, lying close to the south-eastern coast of Tasmania, at the southern entrance to the D'Entrecasteaux Channel between Bruny Island and the mainland.

• Island consisting entirely of cobbles, with a levee-like rim (presumably formed by storm waves) and central depression (i.e. rim is the highest part of island). An unusual feature and only one other comparable feature is known in Tasmania. (Criteria: A.2, D.1)
• (Indicative Place) Register of the National Estate

Map of Southern Tasmania

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Southport Local Heritage

5 Records Found

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S8, T25. Convict Farm, blue gum avenue, graveyard, Lady Bay Road, Southport

• Registered by the Tasmanian National Trust
  

Streetview_Convict Farm, blue gum avenue, graveyard, Lady Bay Road, Southport

S9. La Haies Botanic Garden, Adjacent to Coal Pit Bight, Recherche Bay, Southport

The north east peninsula of Recherche Bay has an important association with the French scientific and exploratory expedition of Rear Admiral Bruni D’Entrecasteaux.

• It stopped at Recherche Bay in 1792 and in 1793 for about seven weeks in total. The relatively extensive, well-documented encounters on the coast of the north east peninsula of Recherche Bay, compared to those in other places and involving other expeditions, between the expedition members and the Tasmanian Aborigines, provided a very early opportunity for meetings and mutual observation.
• The recordings, from the French perspective, of these encounters, are important observations of the lives of the Tasmanian Aboriginal people. The French also camped ashore on the north east peninsula (in 1792), made scientific observations, collected numerous specimens of flora and fauna, and established a vegetable garden (possibly one of several in the wider area intended, unusually, for the economic benefit of the Tasmanian Aboriginal people).

   

Approximate location of European heritage features

Just over two hundred years ago, a French scientific expedition landed on the southern coast of Tasmania. They collected specimens, conducted experiments and even planted a garden.

• Remarkably, the site of their work still exists, but it’s never been archeologically explored.
• Now the private landowners have sought permission to clear fell the surrounding forest, and it’s triggered a war over the fate of what could be one of the most significant sites in Australia’s science history.

Arriving in April 1792, the landing in this part of Van Diemen's Land was the result of an accident. Following a violent storm, the French vessels mistook what was later named Recherche Bay for Adventure Bay, a safe harbour observed by Tasman, as a place to recuperate.

• An extended search for La Perouse followed and took them to New Caledonia, the Admiralty Islands, the Solomons, Bougainville and around New Guinea to the Moluccas. From there they sailed down the west coast of the Australian mainland and around the Great Australian Bight, stopping for repairs at St Francis Isle, before limping back to Recherche Bay in 1793 to repair the Esperance and to replenish water and other supplies.

Here they returned to the garden planted by Felix Lahaie in May 1792. It was the practice of European crews to plant gardens in destinations they visited to provide sustenance for other maritime adventurers. However, the French were also under instructions to establish European plants for the benefit of Indigenous people – a gift from the French people to the natives of the new land.

‘The axe had never sounded’ - place, people and heritage of Recherche Bay, - Ch. 4 p. 37

D’Entrecasteaux was interested in the fate of garden and, to judge from his journal, Delahaye returned for another inspection:

• ‘M. La Haye inspected it with more care than on the first occasion; he found a few chicory plants, cabbages, sorrel, radishes, cress and a few potatoes had grown, but had only produced the first two seminal leaves.’
• Delahaye now blamed the lack of success on ‘the seeds having been sown in too advanced a season’.
• Labillardière blamed the lack of water and expressed surprise that at least some cress had not been planted closer to a nearby stream.
• Whatever the explanation for the garden’s failure, apart from Bligh’s incipient orchard, this was the first attempt to cultivate vegetables in Tasmania. As it is well documented and located on a chart, it is important to establish the credentials of the feature discovered early in 2003.

Lady Jane Franklin explored the peninsula in 1838 and endeavoured to locate Lahaie’s garden.

• Accompanied by botanist Ronald Campbell Gunn and the ornithologist John Gould she found an entrenched site of what appeared to be a garden to the north of the garden shown on the French chart. Gould and Gunn also duplicated the collections of specimens made by the French.

Beautemps-Beaupré’s chart of the northern harbour.

The Garden in 2003, outlined by rocks

In 1922, following a bushfire, Herbert Smith and Clive Lord found a small cultivated area surrounded by a trench which they interpreted as the French garden. Lord is said to have planted pine trees at each corner to mark the spot.

• The site of the French garden lies on the northern side of the southern fire corridor, and is covered by eucalypts perhaps 100 years old.
• It seems certain the French would not have chosen a garden site in an area covered by gum trees.
• Finally, there is an engraving (after Piron) of French sailors and aborigines together, in which a good deal of artistic license has been applied, but it seems likely the setting is on the shore near Blackswan Lagoon. In the middle ground is an isolated manfern, such as only happens after fire has removed the forest.[3]

The 1792 garden...investigated by the Far South Historical Society and identified by Bob Graham and Helen Gee in 2003…had ‘captured the public’s imagination.

• ‘Formed’ in traditional symmetrical shape and measuring approximately 9 x 7 metres and divided into four sections, its inner and outer lines are edged by stones, some of which may have been quarried from a nearby outcrop.
• It contains what appear to be two plinths, which may have been used as platforms for barrels containing water from the nearby creek.
• The crops sown included cereal grains, chicory, mustard, endive, lentil, radish, cress, sorrel cabbage and potato.
• Trees were also planted, probably nearby.’

(The ABC) approached the owners of this land, (and) the archaeologist of the Forest Practices Board and the Premier of Tasmania, Jim Bacon who is also the Minister responsible for heritage. None of them were prepared to talk to (the ABC) on camera.

• But the issue won’t be going away. Tasmanian Greens Senator, Bob Brown feels so strongly about this cause, he’s prepared to be part of a human shield for the peninsula.
• Senator Bob Brown: I’ll be there on the road in front of the first bulldozers and the chainsaws if they arrive. You can do no less.[4]

A TRAVELLER’S GLIMPSE INTO THE HISTORY OF RECHERCHE BAY IN THE FAR SOUTH OF TASMANIA (pdf)

"This was the first visit to the French Garden site for all of us. So, map in hand, we donned life-jackets and set off from Catamaran, past a cluster of beautiful lichen-covered dolerite rocks, across the waters towards the French Garden at Coal Pit Bight.

• The trip across took about 20 minutes under an overcast sky, however, the men’s boating and weather-watching skills enabled us to navigate the floating seaweed and moor the boat safely. A short walk along the beach led us to the entrance to the site, where we set off inland through treed bushland to find the French Garden."

Northeast peninsula of Recherche Bay © Bob Brown 2006

After the location, in early 2003, of what many consider to be the French garden, the Group escalated their media campaign and began to lobby State and Commonwealth Ministers and French consular officials, with a view to preserving the peninsula.

• Over the next three years this campaign escalated considerably with a number of demonstrations and national media coverage.
• 
  
• While the campaign raised the profile of Recherche Bay in the public’s consciousness, it also proved to be very hurtful and disturbing for the Vernon family.
• 
  
• In early 2006, businessman and philanthropist Dick Smith, at the urging of Senator Bob Brown, made a very generous donation and loan to the Tasmanian Land Conservancy. This, together with financial support from the Tasmanian Government, led to the Vernons reluctantly agreeing to sell their property to the Conservancy in March 2006.

"Although by dry stone wall construction standards, the French Garden wall is extremely modest, nothing could detract from the privileged feeling of being so close to the southernmost tip of Tasmania and treading in a place where such a simple and historically important dry stone structure was constructed more than 200 years ago.

• Today, thanks to the dedication of a group of concerned conservationists, the site is protected and, due to recent archaeological work, cleared and easy to locate.
• On 8 February 2006, the ABC news announced that: ‘The historic site of early French exploration of Australia at Recherche Bay in Tasmania's south is to be saved from logging.
• More than $2 million has been raised to buy the land. The area, which hosted important scientific research and the first meeting between French explorers and Aborigines, was to be logged this year.
• However, due to donations from entrepreneur Dick Smith, conservationists and a newly announced State government contribution of almost $400,000, a deal has been brokered to buy the land from the private owners’.

• The French Garden at Recherche Bay, Tasmania, THE FLAG STONE, ISSUE NO. 9

  The Recherche Bay garden was to be saved! The north-east peninsula of Recherche Bay and the French Garden area are now both safe from logging and protected for future generations, thanks to the generous support of philanthropist Dick Smith, the ongoing work of the TLC and to generous donations from hundreds of individuals who havecontributed to the public fundraising campaign.[5]

The historic heritage of the NE Peninsula include:

• Sites of 1792 and 1793 French activities. These include the 1792 observatory, forges and associated charcoal kilns near the observatory, a repair yard near the observatory, a linen-washing area,
• Lahaie's 1792 garden as mapped by Beautemps-Beaupre,
• a possible second garden reported by Lt La Motte du Portail and perhaps revisited by Jane Franklin in 1838, other vegetable plantings throughout the woods,
• a number of campsites accommodating about 220 expeditioners,
• a number of exploration tracks traversing the peninsula,
• locations where various botanical specimens were collected,
• 1793 meeting places with Aborigines between the Observatory and Southport Lagoon.

The locations of these activities can be approximately inferred from historic documents [6]

• Tasmanian Heritage Register #10173

S10, S12. Observatory, Bennetts Point, Recherche Bay, Southport

Statement of Significance: The Observatory is of historic cultural heritage significance for its historical associations with the DEntrecasteaux expedition, European exploration of Tasmania and the meeting of Europeans and Aborigines. The Observatory is of cultural heritage significance as it is a rare site of 18th century French scientific observations. The Observatory is of historic heritage significance as it is able to demonstrate a high degree of technical achievement through the world breakthrough in the science of geomagnetism which advanced global navigation. The Observatory is of historic heritage significance as it is able to demonstrate an association with the DEntrecasteaux Expedition.

The Observatory has the potential to yield important information, of an archaeological nature, that may contribute to a greater understanding of Tasmania`s history.

• Tasmanian Heritage Register #10172

S11, T24. The Big House, Huon Highway, Southport (Jetty House)

The Jetty House, Southport

• The Jetty House (1876) (Joseph Graves) Registered
• Website: http://www.southportjettyhouse.com/ and alsohttps://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/1653374
  
• The Jetty House is an historic home situated by the bay in tiny Southport, south of Hobart. Travelling time is a 90-minute drive from the capital.

• Jetty House has six standard rooms with three bathrooms, accommodating up to 12 guests.
  They have been operating as a popular traditional B&B for 16 years.
• Facilities include two separate lounges with open fireplaces and a selection of games and books as well as wide shady verandas and a barbecue shelter.
• The house is set in two and a half acres of lush gardens. Settlement Creek runs through the grounds and the property is located opposite Southport Beach

• Built by Joseph Graves who started the steam-driven timber mill in Southport (a technophile- up until then timber was milled by convicts in pits)
  It is now a comfortable, rambling home set in lovely gardens next to a beautiful white sand beach.
• The Jetty House has 7 rooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 lounge areas, a well-equipped kitchen with full-sized stove, dishwasher and coffee machine.
• Outside there are wraparound verandas, extensive gardens and a bbq gazebo.
• 
  • Across the road is Southport Beach with beautiful white sand and safe swimming.
  • Travellers' photo gallery

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Cockle Creek

Cockle Creek is a tiny settlement in Tasmania, the farthest point south one can drive in Australia,[1] 148 km from Hobart via the Huon Highway. It is located on Recherche Bay on the edge of the Southwest National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.[1]

• During the 24 days spent moored in the harbour, 200 men were set to work as ships and shore became a hive of activity. It was a welcome break from shipboard routine, although a busy one as most of the crews worked ashore. Before describing the scientific research, it is appropriate to note these various activities, many of which must have left archaeological traces on land or seabed.
  • The example of the preservation of the James Craig over a century later, is a reminder that archaeological evidence of this visit may be preserved in the mud and sand. D’Entrecasteaux provided testimony to the constitution of the seabed when they had difficulty in raising an anchor which was ‘too deeply buried in the mire’. ‘With this type of seafloor,’ he concluded, ‘where the anchors sink to the point of disappearing, it is necessary to raise the anchor frequently.’[4]

	FLYWHEEL FROM THE OLD COCKLE CREEK TIMBER MILL

Cockle Creek Local Heritage

Cockle Creek is about 2 hours drive south from Hobart. It is reached via the Huon Highway (A6) through Geeveston. Take the C635 past the Hastings Caves turn off then follow the C636 gravel road through Lune River to Cockle Creek. The last stages of the road beyond Cockle Creek are fairly rough but can be negotiated by 2 wheel drive vehicles. If driving between dusk and dawn, please be aware that you are sharing the road with wildlife.

CC1. T32. Cockle Creek Cemetery, Recherche Bay

Located on Recherche Bay some 148km south-west of Hobart, the settlement of Cockle Creek was abandoned some years ago and the cemetery has fallen into neglect, with some of the headstones broken and others no longer legible.

• This area was originally set aside in the 1850s as a school reserve for the rapidly growing town of Ramsgate. At its peak there were almost 300 people living here and an extensive town plan had been drawn up, naming the streets.
• Despite high hopes the planned township did not materialise and the original cemetery at Planters Beach was abandoned when people started burying their dead here at Cockle Creek.

This cemetery contains 12 marked graves and at least another 10 which have lost their markers. The earliest identifiable burials date from the early 1880s, with the latest from the 1930s.

Cockle Creek Cemetery, Recherche Bay	Cockle Creek Cemetery, Recherche Bay
Cockle Creek Cemetery, Recherche Bay	Cockle Creek Cemetery, Recherche Bay
Adams Family memorial	End of the Southern Road to Tasmania's South West Park

• Registered by the Tasmanian National Trust
• Return to top of page

CC2. Rose and Walter Adams Cottage, Cockle Creek Road, Cockle Creek

Cockle Creek shacks

Statement of Significance:
The cottage is of historic heritage significance as it represents the sole surviving residence associated with the areas early timber settlement.

• The cottage is of historic heritage significance because of its direct association with locals Walter and Rose Adams. The Adams family have been connected with Recherche Bay for 150 years.
  
• Walter and Rose lived in the cottage since 1931. Walter was one of the people who, with Milford Fletcher, cut the South Coast track.
  
• After the closure of the second Cockle Creek sawmill around 1950, the Adams were the only permanent residents remaining in this southernmost settlement of Tasmania.

Southern centenarian celebrates Updated 17 Jan 2008, 11:38am A colourful character from Tasmania's far south is celebrating her 100th birthday. Rose Adams was born on the Tasman Peninsula, and moved to Australia's southern-most town, Cockle Creek with her husband during the Great Depression. She spent most of the next 70 years there, living in a shack without electricity, telephone or other modern luxuries. "I've had a hard life, but I've enjoyed every bit of it," she said. Mrs Adams stayed on when her husband died in the 1960s, and for a time was Australia's southern-most resident. "It was beautiful and quiet." She spent most of her life eating fresh produce including fish, crayfish, wallaby and even echidna. "I didn't eat a possum though, I was a bit fussy about that." Mrs Adams says healthy living and never smoking or drinking are the reasons for her longevity. "Go fishin' and chop wood and look after myself and everyone else around the place," she said. "All the walkers that used to get lost used to come to my place. "I'm used to the country and I liked living there because I used to be a good servant to everyone." But she was forced to leave 5 years ago after breaking her hip while on her morning walk. Cockle Creek sign **PHOTO:** For many years Mrs Adams was Australia's southern-most resident (Cate Grant: ABC News)

100 year old Rose Adams blows out the candles on her cake **PHOTO:** 100 year old Rose Adams blows out the candles on her cake (Simon Frazer: ABC news) Rose Adams cutting her cake **PHOTO:** Rose Adams cutting her cake(Simon Frazer: ABC News) Rose Adams (Tasmanian woman turns 100 on Jan 17 2008) **PHOTO:** Rose Adams - "I've had a hard life, but I've enjoyed every bit of it" (Simon Frazer: ABC News)

Because of their isolated lifestyle they, particularly Rose, featured in many newspaper and magazine articles. 'A rough life but she likes it': Story and pictures by Harry Frauca. The Australian Women's WeeklyJuly 9th 1958 An interview with 54 year old boatbuilder, fisherman - Mrs. Rose Adams, wife of the last man, Walter Adams, regularly fishing from Cockle Creek on Recherche Bay (near the southernmost tip of Tasmania). Mentions the three settlements; Cockle Creek, Catamaran and Laprena. Article includes photos of the Cockle Creek Bridge, the Adams house on the banks of Cockle Creek and Rose Adams in her backyard.

More recently Rose featured on State and National television. She also featured on the Huon Trail tourist information boards erected by the Huon Valley Council, in Australia Post's book "The Face of Australia" and in the "Australian Geographic Book of Tasmania". Rose remained the sole resident of Cockle Creek until 1997. At the age of 94, she now lives in the house next door. The cottage has strong meaning for the community because it contributes built character and a sense of history as the sole surviving residence of the areas early timber industry. This aspect of significance is enhanced by the cottages peaceful setting and its direct association with well-known locals, Walter and Rose Adams. Tasmanian Heritage Register #9947

Also Registered by the Tasmanian Heritage Register in the Cockle Creek area

CC3. Ramsgate Whaling and Settlement Site Cockle Creek Road Recherche 7109

• Permanently Registered THR #11017

CC4.. Young & McLachlan's Planters Beach whaling station, Planter Beach, Cockle Creek

Southwest NP 7109

• THPI1R Permanent Registration -part of consolidated place - Huon Valley Council THR #10399

CC5. Gellibrand & Mortimer's Cockle Creek whaling station east of Cockle Creek

Southwest NP 7109

• THPI1R Permanent Registration - #10400 part of consolidated place - Huon Valley Council

CC6. Alexander Imlay's Snake Point whaling station west of Snake Point, Cockle Creek

Southwest NP 7109

• THPI1R Permanent Registration #10401 -part of consolidated place - Huon Valley Council

CC7. Pryat's (Planter Beach) grave (cemetery) Planter Beach, Cockle Creek

Southwest NP 7109

• Permanent Registration - THPI1R #10405

CC8. d'Entrecasteaux 1793 Garden Cockle Creek, Rocky Bay Catamaran 7109

• Permanent Registration - #10598

CC9. Recherche Bay South (part of # 11018 d'Entrecasteaux Expedition Sites)

• Permanent Registration - #11834

CC10. Cockle Creek Road Cockle Creek Road, Recherche 7109

• Permanent Registration - #952

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Southport No longer Heritage Listed

2 Records found

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S12, T28. Whaler's Hotel, Fisher's Point, Recherche Bay

• Registered by the Tasmanian National Trust

Fisher Point pub, 2006

S13, T23. Foundation traces of original convict station, Kingfish Beach Road, Southport

• 1830-1840, Registered by the Tasmanian National Trust

Southport Probation Station

Southport probation station situated near the Southern entrance of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, a few miles North of Recherche Bay. Hobart 60 miles distant, communication by water, reach Hobart easily in fair winds in one day. Cascade Solitary cell Originally opened for procuring timber, more recently reception of prisoners on primary probation. Station stands close to the shore, front parade rises supported by piles. Buildings generally of very tolerable description - paving for four feet around the huts so as to throw water draining from the roof's clear of the buildings foundations. Accommodation for about 500 men in the wards, and 30 in the separate apartments. Two mess rooms - one large and not in good repair, it is old and floor of loose earth. Cook house and bake house large and fair buildings made of wood with a brick wall around them. There are three yards quite distinct, one laid with good gravel and two with sand. Old huts built to accommodate 40 men each, front the station towards the sea, are very good, each hut quite distinct but sleeping places are narrow in some wards. Separate Apartments are in 4 small yards. Doors are placed alternately in one yard, or the other opposite in a manner similar to Cascades Female Factory in Hobart. Built of brick with a high brickwall around the yards.

Cascades ward

Solitary cells not very well ventilated, but secure, sidewalls carried forward to prevent communication between inmates. 30 additional cells nearly completed.

Hospital one large room, rather crowded and hot, eleven men were in it, Dispenser's room small.

Very good Chapel divided by partitions, one part for officers and three divisions for the three distinct classes of prisoners.

Books for circulating amongst men, kept in small room off chapel.
Attendance at school tolerable but no great improvement reported.

Resident Medical Officer visits the station at Port Esperance and an overseer who is Roman Catholic, reads prayers to men of his creed, about one third of all prisoners.

Clerk in the office is a passholder at sixpence a day and rations.

There are 361 prisoners on the station including 50-60 boys under twenty years, the youngest about 14 - these are kept in distinct gang from the men as much as possible during day and entirely separated at night from the men. All older classes of convicts have been removed, now solely those from the 'John Soames' and 'Lord Auckland'. Men separated as much as possible being distributed in three classes. 2nd and 3rd are mixed at work but as those of 3rd class are under separate treatment, all classes are kept distinct at night and meal times.

Supply of all description of timber is inexhaustible. Iron tram roads are laid in different directions so conveyance of timber to water's edge is performed without any difficulty. Abundant supply of shells for lime, and of good clay, also good stone for building and paving - all close at hand. [2]

When Governor Dennison visited the station in April 1848 he wrote of

• ‘inspecting 130 of the greatest scoundrels in the world; young villains from sixteen to twenty-five years of age, and of the most incorrigible habits; they are sent down here to be as far as possible from the settled parts of the island. Eighty of these are in separate cells, but they are most difficult to manage; and I was obliged to hold out threats of enforcing the most severe system of separate confinement; and, in three or four instances, to carry out my threats” (Varieties of Vice Regal Life p 90.)[3]

Two hundred years and several bushfires have left little of the former convict station or bustling mill town and international port taking timber to Europe.

• For the past fifty years it has consisted of shacks for families from Hobart and south, and home for a couple of farmers and few fishermen. Only a handful of houses have survivied, the most notable being The Jetty House, a heritage listed building built in 1875.
• In the nineteenth century Southport prospered as a port serving whalers, sealers and the local timber industry. There was a time when there were a number of substantial wharves and jetties dotted around the bay.
• Today Southport's only industries are tourism and fishing.