Title

View upon the South Esk River, 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 upon the South Esk River, Van Diemen's Land.

THE SOUTH ESK RIVER rises under TASMAN'S PEAK, and, winding its course through a most delightful tract of land for more than fifty miles, affords some of the finest specimens of that beautiful scenery of nature, for which this part of the globe is so remarkable. The plains through which it passes are, many of them, very extensive; most of them fertile, with their borders richly adorned with timber; and pro­duces most excellent pasturage for sheep and cattle.

In the View of BEN LOMOND from ARNOLD'S HEIGHTS, given in a former Number of this work, the head of the South Esk is seen meandering through two plains. After passing through this fine part of the country, it joins the LAKE RIVER, about ten miles above LAUNCESTON, at which place the confluence of these Rivers presents a most interesting and charming view. Neither of these streams flow with rapidity, except in the periods of heavy falls of rain, when the banks of each are overflown, and the country through which they pass is inundated. On some occasions, the floods have been so extensive as to intercept all travelling betwixt the settlements at HOBART TOWN, and those of GEORGE TOWN and LAUNCESTON.

The high lands represented in the distance, are the range of Hills adjoining TASMAN'S PEAK, which are in general very barren, although a large tract of land in their neighbourhood, at present unallotted, is very capable of being converted into excellent farms. The land, in general, in this part of the Colony is particularly rich and good, being chiefly a fine dark loamy soil, well adapted for agricul­tural purposes.

Timber, of the Eucalyptus species, flourishes most abundantly near the SOUTH ESK RIVER, and in its vicinity; and large flocks of the forest Kangaroos afford excellent sport to the sportsmen of these parts.

The River itself, and the chain of ponds which run from between the adjoining hills, abound with wild fowls of every species and description.

Accompanying text, 1825.