Eldon Range
Encyclopedia
Eldon Range is a mountain range in western
Tasmania
, Australia
. It is located at the edge of Lake Burbury
and the western edge of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area
which includes the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park
.
The range is east of the main line of the West Coast Range and runs at right angle to it in a West-East direction. It is separated from that range by the King River valley and is bordered by the Eldon River to the north and west.
with this same name in 1828 after Lord Eldon Lord Chancellor
of England, however Charles Gould
in 1869 gives this name to the range.
Eldon Peak is one of the least visited peaks in Tasmania due to its remoteness. It was climbed in 1947 by legendary Tasmanian bushwalker Keith Lancaster, who recorded a cairn on the summit, indicating it was not the first European ascent. Lancaster ascended from the King River valley, a route no longer possible due to the impoundment of the river. Modern approaches would be from the south-east or south arriving at Lake Ewart at the foot of Eldon Bluff. All approaches are over trackless terrain with patches of difficult scrub.
Part of the route from the south east follows the western border of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
, marked with poles by the bushman Charlie Spencer. Few of the poles still survive, and could not be relied upon. Navigation in this area would be extremely difficult in poor weather
West Coast, Tasmania
The West Coast of Tasmania is the part of the state that is strongly associated with wilderness, mining and tourism, rough country and isolation...
Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It is located at the edge of Lake Burbury
Lake Burbury
Lake Burbury is a man-made lake created by the Crotty Dam made by Hydro Tasmania inundating the upper King River valley that lies east of the West Coast Range. It has a surface area of 54 square kilometres....
and the western edge of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area
Tasmanian Wilderness
The Tasmanian Wilderness is a term that is used for a range of areas in Tasmania, Australia.The World Heritage Areas in South West, Western and Central are the most well known. However, there are also other areas in Tasmania that have the elements of being known as wilderness areas, the Tarkine...
which includes the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park
Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park
Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers is a national park in Tasmania, Australia, 117 km west of Hobart. It is named after the two main river systems lying within the bounds of the park - the Franklin River and the Gordon River.- Location :...
.
The range is east of the main line of the West Coast Range and runs at right angle to it in a West-East direction. It is separated from that range by the King River valley and is bordered by the Eldon River to the north and west.
Naming
It is claimed that Henry Hellyer named the present day Mount Farrell near TullahTullah, Tasmania
Tullah is a town in the northern part of the West Coast Range, on the west coast of Tasmania, about 111 km south of Burnie. The town has a population of roughly 270 people. At the 2006 census, Tullah had a population of 195....
with this same name in 1828 after Lord Eldon Lord Chancellor
Lord Chancellor
The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign...
of England, however Charles Gould
Charles Gould (geologist)
Charles Gould was the first Geological Surveyor of Tasmania 1859-69.He was born on the 4th June 1834 in England He conducted three expeditions into Western Tasmania in the 1860's.He named many of the mountains on the West Coast Range....
in 1869 gives this name to the range.
Mountains
Eldon Peak (41°58′S 145°43′E) is the highest point at 1439 metres, and the western peak. Similarly named Eldon Bluff (41°58′S 145°49′E) is the eastern peak. A smaller peak to the south is known as the Little Eldons with a height of 640 metres and it is separated from the Eldon Range by the South Eldon river.Eldon Peak is one of the least visited peaks in Tasmania due to its remoteness. It was climbed in 1947 by legendary Tasmanian bushwalker Keith Lancaster, who recorded a cairn on the summit, indicating it was not the first European ascent. Lancaster ascended from the King River valley, a route no longer possible due to the impoundment of the river. Modern approaches would be from the south-east or south arriving at Lake Ewart at the foot of Eldon Bluff. All approaches are over trackless terrain with patches of difficult scrub.
Part of the route from the south east follows the western border of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is located in the Central Highlands area of Tasmania , 165 km northwest of Hobart. The park contains many walking trails, and is where hikes along the well-known Overland Track usually begins...
, marked with poles by the bushman Charlie Spencer. Few of the poles still survive, and could not be relied upon. Navigation in this area would be extremely difficult in poor weather
Further reading
- 2003 edition - Queenstown: Municipality of Queenstown.
- 1949 edition - Hobart: Davies Brothers. OCLC 48825404; ASIN B000FMPZ80
- 1924 edition - Queenstown: Mount Lyell Tourist Association. OCLC 35070001; ASIN B0008BM4XC
External links
- Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area - Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service