Plate 14: South end of Tasman's Island. [by Eugene von Guérard].

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Title

Plate 14: South end of Tasman's Island. [by Eugene von Guérard].

Author

Author not identified

Source

[Not applicable]

Publication date

1868

Type

About the work

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

Plate 14: South end of Tasman’s Island.

THE tourist coasting the eastern shores of Tasmania, after having passed the magnificent basaltic formation, known as Cape Pillar, at the south-eastern extremity of the island, comes in sight of an imposing congeries of columns, of gigantic dimensions, rising abruptly from the ocean, and separated by a narrow channel only, from Tasman's Peninsula. This sombre mass of closely wedged and lofty pillars has received the name of Tasman's Island, and seen under certain aspects of storm and sunshine, light and shade, it reminds the spectator of one of Dore's solemnly fantastic illustrations of the Inferno. Passing the strait, which divides the island from the mainland, you gain a fine view of the basaltic promontory of Cape Raoul; and some of the more remarkable features of the coast scenery, have been so graphically described by Mrs. Meredith in her pleasant narrative entitled “My Home in Tasmania”, that we cannot do better than quote the following passage: - “The entrance to Port Arthur was soon lost, and the island seemed to fold in, as it were, with the westerly cliffs of the Cape, until in a south view, they formed one towering stupendous mass of dark rocks, most richly tinged with the changeful rose-coloured and purple and gold of the sunset's glorious hues, which shone forth in still greater lustre from contrast with the deep chasms and ravines which were in almost black shadow, and with the white-crested billows of the blue sea, that dashed their glittering spray high over the broken crags. It was a scene never to be forgotten !”.

Accompanying text, 1868.