Title

View of the Governor's Retreat, New Norfolk, 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

View of the Governor's Retreat, New Norfolk, Van Diemen's Land.

THIS View of the GOVERNOR'S COLLEGE, at NEW NORFOLK, is taken from the water-side, about half a mile above the Ferry.

NEW NORFOLK, or, as it is now called, ELIZABETH TOWN, is situated upon the banks of the RIVER DERWENT, about eighteen miles from HOBART TOWN, on the same side of the river as the Cottage here represented; and commands a most delightful view of the valley beyond the Settlement.

The Cottage is a very neat brick building, consisting of a suit of rooms for the use of the Governor, with apartments for servants, and various domestic offices. This Retreat was frequently resorted to by the late Lieutenant-Governors Davey and Sorell, as an agreeable relaxation from the bustle and fatigue of public business. The view from the Cottage is extremely beautiful, comprising the scenery up the river for a course of several miles, and including the whole of the Settlers' lands, and the small cottages which are scattered over a delightful valley about two miles in width. The whole of this valley is in a fine state of cultivation, growing excellent crops of wheat and other grain; whilst the country above is a verdant track of good grazing land.

The FERRY HOUSE, seen on the left, is the property of Mr. Cawthorn, the chief constable of this district. The Ferry here is for the conveyance of passengers only; the cart and horse ferry being situated a mile and a half higher up the river.

The high hill in the back-ground is a part of a long chain of mountainous and barren hills, generally covered with snow, which continues from MOUNT DROMEDARY to the back of this Settlement. The most distant bill, which is seen to the right, is the summit of MOUNT DROMEDARY.

The land about ELIZABETH TOWN is a very fine dark loamy soil, and of a considerable depth; affording in the bush, where there is no cultivation, good pasturage fin cattle and sheep. The timber consists chiefly of the Eucalyptus, the Casurina, and remarkably fine large Blue Gum, (a sort of Eucalyptus,) all of which grow to a very large size.

Numerous flocks of the larger sort of Kangaroos are met with near this Settlement; and in the river and in the bush are the usual wild fowl and other birds.

Accompanying text, 1825.