Tasmania's
historic past is no dead and dusty creature - it's a
living, breathing spirit that reaches out from its place
in time, everywhere you tread.
The fascinating convict heritage lives on, not just in
the penal settlements and convict-built towns, but in the
communities of descendants that continue to live on the
island.
Thousands of years before Europeans first came ashore,
Tasmanian Aborigines were the state' sole inhabitants. A
number of significant historic Aboriginal sites are
visible today, predominantly in the north-east of the
island.
From its position on the edge of the great Southern Ocean
Tasmania has rich maritime heritage: with colourful
wharves, bustling fishing towns, and a strong marine
science community working to manage this extraordinary
resource.
Named after the British statesman Lord Robert Hobart,
Hobart Town became the capital of Tasmania in 1825 and
was chartered as a city in 1857. Convict Transportation
ceased in 1853, after more than 74,000 convicts had been
sent to the island. The still-fledgling colony's
parliament changed the name to Tasmania in 1856.
From dense cool climate rainforests to craggy mountain
peaks, Tasmania's diverse wilderness sets it apart.
Surveyor George Frankland named many of the mountains and
lakes in the park. Lake St Clair was named after a
Scottish family in 1835 (The lake's Aboriginal name
'Leeawuleena' means 'sleeping water'), but inspired by
Greek mythology, Frankland also named Mounts Olympus,
Ida, Pelion and Rufus.
During
the 1890s a rail route from Hobart to the west coast,
between Pelion Creek and Frog Flats, was cut. The rail
line never eventuated but miners walking from Deloraine
to Rosebery and drovers used it for many years. Today it
forms part of the Overland Track.
Austrian Gustav Weindorfer climbed Cradle Mountain in
1910. Both Gustav and his Victorian wife, Kate, were
pioneering conservationists of the region. In 1922 the
Weindorfer's cri de coeur was heard and 158,000 acres was
proclaimed a 'Scenic Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary'. In
1982 the park was placed on the World Heritage list,
along with the Southwest and Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers
National Parks.
Deloraine has been classified by the National
Trust as a town of historical significance with building
dated back to the 1830's. Visit the growing number of
local antique and brickabrac shops.
Stanley - North Coast of Tasmania
The Stanley Nut - A Tasmanian famous landmark
Historic Colonial fishing Village
Georginian Highfield House (circa 1835)
Wilderness to West Coast Tours
Arthur River Cruises & Seal Cruises
Dovecove
Motel & Restaurant
Cradle
Mountain
There are many things to do and see in the Cradle
Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park wilderness region
of Tasmania Australia.
 Cradle
Mountain Highlanders
Cottages
are located in the Cradle valley on highway C132, about
3.5 km after the turn off to Cradle Mountain. The
cottages are on the right hand side of the road 200
metres past the National Park's Cradle Information Centre
and just a couple of minutes drive from the entrance to
the World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair
National Park World Heritage area in Tasmania,
Australia.
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The
Mountain View Country
Inn
at historic Delorine offers excellent, affordable
accommodation and good old-fashioned country
hospitality. Enjoy stepping back in time, to the
1800's, at their Settlers Licensed Restaurant.
Use Mountain View as your ideal base to explore
Cradle Mountain.
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Swansea
Motor Inn
located
on Great Oyster Bay with the renowned Hazards at
Freycinet reflecting in the waters at your doorstep. Add
this to the convenience of Swansea's town centre and it's
heritage walk, local attractions such as the Bark Mill
and some of Tasmania's best National Parks
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King Solomon Caves
Convict Heritage attractions
Cradle
Mountain
Tasmania
Accommodation
Discovery
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