Strahan
A Vibrant Town in Western
Tasmania
MAPS
Strahan has a significant geographical location to
connect the remote west of Tasmania with the rest
of this island during the mining era.
The maps included in this resource section
illustrate the discovery of the west coast of
Tasmania through historical maps, the isolation of
Strahan regarding access via road and the current
features around Strahan.
Strahan - 42° south
Left: the grid showing the latitude of 42° south in Tasmania
taken from google earth
Right: Strahan and its surroundings in Google maps
Current map of Strahan and its surroundings
Detailing;
• Population areas
• Reserves & Parks
• Sand
• Native Vegetation
http://www.bonzle.com/c/a?a=p&x=145.29&y=42.15&w=21681&h=21681&i=554&j=554&p=289328&pp=
289328&fc=1&s=terrain%20around%20stahan&st=TAS&zix=3
%2E61183151372501E%2D03&mpsec=0#map
Historical Map
Historical Map of the world from 1650 - 1690. The map
illustrates only the bottom half of Tasmania existing, as
discovered by Abel Tasman. http://nla.gov.au/nla.map-nk1578
Kok, A. (1999), A Pictoral History of Strahan: A chronicle of the people and events that led to the settlement
of Strahan, and the changes to the little port that was once the busiest in Tasmania. Hobart: Hindsight.
Map of West
Coast Tasmania,
1915, showing
railway lines,
including the Emu
Bay line to
Burnie, but not
roads connecting
the west with
eastern
Tasmania.
Early Settlement
Strahan's early settlement was
established on the industries of
pining, mining, shipping and fishing.
The resources include photographs,
maps, books, diagrams, and
personal accounts.
Pining
Kerr, G. & McDermott, H. (1999) The Huon pine story : the history of harvest and use of a unique timber.
Portland, Vic. : Mainsail Books.
This book details the history of Huon pine and the pining of. Particular focus is paid on the West Coast
using quotes, photographs, maps and other primary sources detailing the changing life of those working in
the pining industry.
p. 34 - Map of Huon pine stands in the South West
pp. 100-102 give a personal account of life on the river a piner
p. 102 Punt on the river
p. 128 Picture of horse pulling huon pine
p. 140 Diagram of piners punt
Mining
Images from:
Gowlland, R. & Gowlland, K. (1977).Trampled Wilderness: The History of South-West Tasmania.
Devonport: C. L. Richmond & Sons Pty. Ltd.
Further information:
Whitham, C.(1949). Western Tasmania: A land of riches and beauty. Hobart: Davies Brothers
Limited.
Mount Lyell Minging and Railway Company
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Lyell_Mining_and_Railway_Company
Fishing
Kok, A. (1999), A Pictoral History of Strahan: A chronicle of the people and
events that led to the settlement of Strahan, and the changes to the little port
that was once the busiest in Tasmania. Hobart: Hindsight.
The growth of the town
Strahan's growth was initially linked to the early
settlement industries, however overtime the
population has fluctuated, with more recent
growth attributed to the tourism industry.
Resources include photographs detailing the
physical changes to the town, as well as
significant figures in the growth of the town,
websites, and population figures.
The Changing Landscape of Strahan
Kok, A. (1999), A Pictoral History of Strahan: A chronicle of the people and
events that led to the settlement of Strahan, and the changes to the little port
that was once the busiest in Tasmania. Hobart: Hindsight.
Strahan in 1890, showing the wharf
nearly completed, but not yet filled
in behind.
Strahan in 1900; scaffolding can be
seen on the Union Steam Ship
Company's Offices which were still
being build.
Strahan in 1960; showing from left:
wharf, Union Steam Ship Offices,
Hamers Hotel, World War One
memorial and the railway
connecting to Regatta Point.
Historical figure in the Growth of Strahan
The founding father of Strahan, Frederick Ormiston Henry and his Pioneer
Stores in Long Bay.
Why F.O. Henry was of significant importance to the foundation and development of
Strahan - http://www.ormistonhouse.com.au/history.html (images sourced from website).
F.O.Henry's letter to C.P.Sprent, in which he explained the reason why he aimed to
establish the store in Long Bay, Strahan.
Letter from: Kok, A. (1999), A Pictoral History of Strahan: A chronicle of the people and events that led to
the settlement of Strahan, and the changes to the little port that was once the busiest in Tasmania. Hobart:
Hindsight.
Population of Strahan (2001)
http://www.bonzle.com/c/a?a=p&p=254&d=p&cmd=sp&c=1&x
=145%2E32733&y=%2D42%2E15194&w=40000&mpsec=0
Transportation
Strahan's remote and rugged location meant
that access to the area was challenging, but
nevertheless vital to the towns survival. The
resources below provide information on
access to Stahan via road, railway and sea
through photographs, maps, websites, books,
paintings, newspaper articles, and youtube
clips.
Road
The Need for an east-west road
Resources:
Gowlland, K. & Gowlland, R. (1973). Trampled Wilderness: History of
south west Tasmania.Lauceston: Regal Publications.
Historical figure-Thomas Bather Moore
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Bather_Moore
T.B.Moore (left)
T.B.Moore's Track in western Tasmania(right)
Railway
The need for Railway
Mt Lyell train leaving Queenstown for
Strahan. c.1920.(left)
Quarter mile bridge crossing the King River. c.1899(right)
Kok, A. (1999), A Pictoral History of Strahan: A chronicle of the people and events
that led to the settlement of Strahan, and the changes to the little port that was once
the busiest in Tasmania. Hobart: Hindsight.
The Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway Route-1898
Construction of the Abt Railway - 1895
Gowlland, K. & Gowlland, R. (1973). Trampled
Wilderness: History of south west Tasmania.Lauceston:
Regal Publications.
Pink, K. (1982) The West Coast story : a history of Western Tasmania and
its mining fields. Zeehan: West Coast Pioneers' Memorial Museum; p.76.
youtube - Pure tasmania - Abt railway experience:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTgOR2bX3JE
Whitham, C.(1949). Western Tasmania: A land of riches and beauty. Hobart: Davies
Brothers Limited.
Hells Gates - Shipping
Historical painting of the entrance to Macquarie Harbour (Hells Gates),
Tasmania, Publisher: Osboldstone & Co
http://www.lighthouse.net.au/lights/TAS/Hells%20Gate/Hells%20Gate.ht
m
Hells Gates - Shipwrecks
Broxam, G. & Nash, M. (1998)
Tasmanian shipwrecks.Woden,
A.C.T. : Navarine Publishing.
1907 Newspaper article on
shipwreck that occurred in
Macquarie Heads/Hells Gates.
Gives good details of the rough
conditions and weather faced.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/arti
cle/5083675?searchTerm=
shipwreck%20macquarie%20
heads%20strahan&searchLimits=
THE NATURAL
ENVIRONMENT
Strahan's natural environment provides the link
between many of the other resources sections
in this package. Transport to the area, tourism,
and the growth of the town through specific
industries are all related to this environment.
This section provides resources illustrating
Strahan's terrain, weather and climate through
maps, images, profiles, and data tables.
Terrain around Strahan:
http://www.bonzle.com/c/a?a=p&p=254&d=ter&cmd=sp&c=1&
x=145%2E32733&y=%2D42%2E15194&w=40000&mpsec=0
NASA aerial view of Macquarie Harbour detailing
terrain:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Macquarie_Harbour_SE
.jpg
Strahan's weather and climate
Weather
around
Climate data for Strahan
Strahan,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strahan,_Tasmania
including
'rainfall' and
'rainy day
graphs'
http://www.bo
nzle.com/c/a?
a=p&p=254&d
=w&cmd=sp&
c=1&x=145%2
E32733&y=%
2D42%2E151
94&w=40000
&mpsec=0
The strong westerly winds
This map details the clipper route sailed by the clipper ships used during
the 19th century. These ships made use of the strong prevailing westerly
winds, travelling from the west to the east on the southern ocean, from
England to Australia. These winds were strong because they
were unimpeded by little land mass. The route hits the west coast of
Tasmania.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roaring_Forties
TOURISM
Since Strahan ceased to be a mining port in the
1970's, the tourism industry began to grow, and now
forms a major part of Strahan's economy.
From 1982-83, a huge protest on the contrustion of
the Gordon-below-Franklin dam attracted much
international attention. Since then, Strahan has
become one of the most popular tourist attractions in
Tasmania for international travellers.
The resources in the section include website links to
official statistics of tourist data, some tourist
information, newpaper clips, and Youtube videos.
Historical Paper Clipping - The Mercury
1938 Mercury clipping regarding issues around, and ideas to increase, Strahan's tourist
numbers. A transcript is available on the site.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/1843309?zoomLevel=1&searchTerm=Strahan%20pop
ulation&searchLimits=
Visitors to Strahan:
http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/46d1bc47ac9d0c
7bca256c470025ff87/DD5914B98A7731EDCA256F1F0004A4AC
Tourist highlights from Pure Tasmania of Strahan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhj6n8Fjj6o
http://www.puretasmania.com.au/default.asp?pID=46
http://www.puretasmania.com.au/default.asp?pID=305
http://www.puretasmania.com.au/default.asp?pID=35
The campaign to ‘Save the Franklin'
image taken from
http://www.utas.edu.au/library/companion_to_tasmanian_history/G/Gordon-belowFranklin%20Dam.htm
http://www.lakepedder.org/resources/reports/GovernmentBackgroundFranklin.htm
http://www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/forests/frankin-river-campaign-part1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGpy8_v3tmI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhCGFHkzifQ&feature=related
Interaction between Eurpeons
and aboriginals
Early interaction between Aboriginals and
Europeans was limited around Strahan itself, as the
township did not exist, however interaction in the
wider area occurred. This resource collection
touches on the impact of George Augustus
Robinson's arrival and 'Friendly mission' on the
plight of the west coast Tasmanian aboriginals and
their ultimate removal from the area. This resource
includes historical journal extracts, maps, and
works of art.
Different Tribes
Map of tribal boundaries for
Tasmanian Aboriginals.
From:
Boyce, J. (2008) Van Diemen's land.
Melbourne: Black Inc.
Early Interaction
December 28, 1815: Extract from Captain James Kelly's diary
during his passage into Macquarie Harbour.
Pink, K. (1982). The West Coast story : a history of Western Tasmania and its
mining fields. Zeehan: West Coast Pioneers' Memorial Museum; p. 33.
Friendly Mission
George Augustus Robinson was employed by Governor Arthur during 1829-1834
to relocate the Tasmanian Aborigines to Flinders Island where they could be
civilised and Christianised.
A painting drawn by Benjamin Duterrau, showing Robinson on one of his
"condiliation" missions among the Tasmanian Aborigines.
From: http://www.aboriginalartonline.com/regions/tasmania.php
Friendly Mission
Kok, A. (1999), A Pictoral History of Strahan: A chronicle of the
people and events that led to the settlement of Strahan, and the
changes to the little port that was once the busiest in Tasmania.
Hobart Hindsight.
Plomley, N.J.B. (1966). Friendly Mission: The Tasmanian
Journals and Papers of George Augustus Robinson 1829-1834.
NSW: Halstead Press Pty Ltd.
Semi-fictional account
Kneale, M.(2007). English Passengers. New York: Knopf
Doubeday Publishing Group.
Boyle, T.C.(1979). "The extinction tales", Descent of Man. New
York:Little Brown.
Friendly Mission
1840 Drawing of Wybalenna on Flinders
Island, where Aborigines were exiled
from Tasmania.
http://www.utas.edu.au/library/companio
n_to_tasmanian_history/W/Wybalenna.
htm
M Shaw, 'Wybalenna and the treaty of
Whitemark', Indigenous Law Bulletin,
July 1999.
Last four Tasmanian Aborigines in
1866
http://tasphotos.blogspot.com/2006/
11/aboriginality-150-years-ago.html
Friendly Mission
Historical figure-Trugannini, was considered to be the last
of her people up until the mid 1970s, however this is not
correct. As of 2005, 10,000 Tasmanians were identifying
with aboriginal heritage.
Trugannini guided Robinson on his west coast expeditions.
She acted as a translator and ambassador for Robinson in
the trip.
Further reading:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trugannini
http://www.aboriginalartonline.com/regions/tasmania.php
http://www.utas.edu.au/library/companion_to_tasmanian_history/T/Truganini.htm
Lyndall, R.(1996). The Aboriginal Tasmanians. NSW: Allen and Unwin.