1 5 First Walkers

1.2.5 First Tourists

The importance of the eastern entry to the Mt Field Plateau is further indicated by the visit in February 1907 by a party from the Tasmanian Tourist Association. Twenty four passengers and crew left Hobart on a motor char-a-banc for the excursion to Mt Field East. After breaking for tea at the Star and Garter Hotel, New Norfolk, the vehicle arrived at Clark's accommodation house, 'Athlone' Ellendale, at 8.33 p.m., a 50 mile run.

The guests were housed at 'Athlone' and neighbouring homes, where "many willing natty village maids were ready to show the travellers their various rooms".

In the morning, 15 agreed to go on the trek. Packed supplies included produce from Clark's garden carried on the backs of the guides. Two pony traps carried the visitors to a point where walking began.

The party consisted "of Senator Henry Dobson and A.Wertheimer, (Chairman, and secretary of the T.T.A. respectively), Messrs. Penny Thompson, Ratcliffe, J.C.Williams Adams, WM Williams, Forster, Peddar (Mercury photographer) and E.J. Rogers". Women in the party were Mrs Penny, and Misses Butler, Wayne, Wettenhall and Davis.

Route to Mt Field: The track was an established route, as the group climbed the hillside until reaching "Camp No.1", as "named by the guides". The scene was painted in some detail:

"The first part of the track up Mt Field East was through a veritable· fairy bower. Fern trees grew on all sides in profusion, while the dampness of the soil rendered the general growth of vegetation most prolific. The gum trees, straight as arrows, towered above the under growth attaining such heights and girths as to make one imagine one was in the Huon district. Higher and higher the defined track led the wanderers till at 8.10, what was named by the guides Camp No.1 was reached, and a five minute rest enjoyed Unfortunately the heavy thick mist which surrounded the mountain prevented this excuse (of admiring the scenery) being used for a rest. The vegetation grew scarcer and scarcer. The track passed through a veritable forest of bare dead trees of no great height. Bleached white with sun and exposure these trees told their unwritten history of destruction by bush-fire".

On top (of Mt Field East), the party rested, and they descended, walking "across the plains, the track being well-defined, and formed in many places by large pieces of flat rock". In a short while the group were on the edge of another plain, glancing down the precipitous path at beautiful Lake Fenton lying at their feet.

It did not take long to reach the shores of the lake, and at 10.15 a halt was make, the billy boiled, and the inner man and woman refreshed with material comforts. By this time King Sol had made up his mind to show his best face to the visitors: the thick mists that had covered the surrounding hills could not resist his genial invitation to withdraw, and the warmth of his rays soon made itself very perceptible. At 11.15 some of the party remained on the camping ground for a bathe and a rest, whilst others proceeded in the direction of Lake Webster, obtaining en route a glimpse of Lake Seal. The high ground above Lake Webster was reached at about 11.30. In the north-east corner of this lake where the Broad river flows out of the lake, the tourist hut has been constructed. By some it is thought an error of judgment having chosen this spot; but those who know the mountain well, and its various tracks, say that nobetter locality could have been selected, or one, with a proper guide, more easy of access. The hut itself consists of three rooms, two each with eight bunks, the third being for use as a kitchen. It was erected by contributions, half of which was raised by the Tourist Association, and half supplied by the Government. Returning to the camping ground, a start was made for what Mr. Clark called 'The White Cliff," a rugged mass of rocks at the edge of the plain before alluded to. This vantage point was reached after an onerous climb up a steep path, and across very rugged country. It was from this point the Chairman of Committees of the Tasmanian Tourist Association, Mr. Seager, had viewed the district, and certainly the result was well worthy of the exertion. At one's feet to the left hand side lay Lake Fenton, placidly shining like a beautiful mirror framed in rugged hills. Almost in front Lake Seal was visible at the foot of a rugged mountain, the height of which was best judged by still showing, even on that hot day, the finger of winter's severity in the shape of large patches of snow, which glistened and scintillated in the rays of the sun. To the right Lake Webster lay surrounded by mighty, forest-clad hills on the one side, whilst on the other the weather white-beached mass of dead timber, ghosts of previous giants of the forest, made a wonderful contrast to the green foliage that intervened. In the far distance one could plainly discern the mighty Denison and King William ranges, and on all sides peak beyond peak of high mountain ranges stood out boldly against the blue expanse. It was with difficulty that the party could be induced to tear themselves away from the fascinating view. Each moment one discerned some new point of interest. It seemed as if one would never finish finding some new attraction in nature's beauty on which to feast the eye. But the mountain had to be descended, and the return was commenced. The descent was fairly easily accomplished, and at Jones' River, about three-quarters of the way down, the guides, who had gone in advance, had tea ready. The first to reach Ellendale on the return was Senator Dobson, and all were back at the starting point by 5.15. Mr. Clark calculated that the entire journey covered about twenty miles, and great credit is due to the ladies among the party' (Tasmanian Mail, Feb 16, 1907, P.21-22. TSA).

Location of Access Route: From this newspaper description, Keith Clark of Ellendale recently agreed that the route probably departed from Ransley's Road {the report refers to meeting the Jones River "three quarters of the way down" where the guides had tea ready having gone in advance. {Could this be the location of a snarers camp?}. Crossing the north-eastern slopes of Mt Field East to the summit, the track then crossed Windy Moor to a hill over-looking Lake Fenton. From the camping ground at Fenton, the party was guided by Clark to "The White Cliffs", a vantage point from where Seager, Chairman of Committees of the ITA "had viewed the district” on a previous trip. This point is possibly Seager's Look-out, a view shown in the accompanying photographs.

The well-defined nature of the track is referred to in the article, including "Camp No.1", and photo captions also refer to (and show) "A Mountain Track", plus "The Track through Forest of Dead Trees"

(would be good to locate the photo enclosed with original paper).

this page added 28/8/2015

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