Title

Beaumonts' Lake, Van Diemen's Land. [by Joseph Lycett].

Author

Author not identified

Source

[Not applicable]

Publication date

1825

Type

About the work

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

Beaumonts’ Lake, Van Diemen’s Land.

THIS Lake is situated about twelve miles from BOUNDARY LAKE, and about eighteen miles in a direct line from the high road leading to LAUNCESTON, at a place called ANTILL'S PONDS. The distance is, however, more than doubled, by the necessity of taking a circuitous route, on account of the high hills over which the road winds. BEAUMONT'S LAKE, at first sight, present one of the most pleasing Scenes imaginable. On the approach to it, some difficulties, occasioned by the rocky nature of the ground, are to be surmounted; but nearer the sides of the Lake, the land becomes tolerably free from rock, and is fertile and good, being a fine dark loamy soil, fitted for both grazing and agriculture.

In the distance are seen the SNOWY MOUNTAINS, which form a fine contrast to the other part of the View. The land is rather thickly covered with small brush of the Eucalyptus species; and in various parts of it there are large trees also of the same species scattered about.

This part of the country is extremely well adapted for pasturage, particularly for feeding Sheep.

At a little distance from the Lake are some beautiful Valleys, well watered, and chiefly surrounded with groups of fine trees of the Eucalyptus species.

Innumerable Wild Ducks, Widgeon, Teal, Black Swans, &c. c. frequent this Lake; and vast flocks both of Emus and Kangaroos are found in its vicinity.

The Views which present themselves from these heights are in general grand, though wild; but, at some points, the country assumes an appearance so extremely barren, that the prospect becomes dreary.

Immense flocks of Wild Fowl, particularly Wild Duels and Black Swans, frequent this Lake, but it is very remarkable that, notwith­standing the extraordinary seclusion of the place, they are extremely shy. There are also great numbers of Musk Ducks, which are so called from their emitting a scent very similar to the perfume of that name.

Forest Kangaroos and Emus are also in great abundance in the neighbourhood of the Lake, and attract to these Parts many Australian sportsmen.

There is another Lake considerably larger than the WESTERN, or BOUNDARY LAKE, situated about fifteen miles to the westward of it, and of which a View will be given in the course of this Work.

Accompanying text, 1825.