Title

Ram Head Point, Port Davey, 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

Ram Head Point, Port Davey, Van Diemen's Land.

PORT DAVEY, SO named in compliment to the late Lieutenant-Governor of VAN DIEMEN'S LAND, is situated about one hundred and twenty miles from HOBART TOWN by water, and about Sixty miles south-west by land.

This Port, or Harbour, was recently discovered by Mr. KELLY, of Hobart Town. The water is deep in many places, but in general it is too shallow for Vessels of great burthen. The Port opens to the right and left, and the Scenery is extremely picturesque. The Shore is rocky; and the points of Land, particularly that which is here represented, are very high, and covered with Rocks of an astonishing size.

All kinds of Fish, natural to these parts, are found in the Harbour; and Whales are often seen in, and at the mouth of; the Port.

The Land is covered generally with small Brush, of the Eucalyptus species, which grows remarkably thick, and renders travelling in this vicinity extremely difficult.

The River, which runs from the western Mountain, is enriched with the most grand arid romantic Scenery, in almost every part of its course, for an extent of more than twenty miles; the grandeur of which is considerably increased by numerous Huon Pines, of the largest size. In addition to the various species of the Eucalyptus, which is the principal sort of Timber, there are also, near the River, several Banksia species.

Wild Fowl, in immense quantities, frequent this River and Harbour; and, in the wider parts of PORT DAVEY, are seen those graceful and majestic Birds, the Black Swans.

Many parts of the Land near PORT DAVEY are very good; and there are numerous beautiful situations, which are admirably adapted for the sites of Gentlemen's Residences. There can be no doubt, indeed, that, ere long, the tract of Country adjacent to this Harbour will become one of the most pleasant and valuable districts of Van Diemen's Land.

Besides the usual varieties of Birds, with which the Forests of this neighbourhood abound, there have been seen a new sort of Hawk, or Eagle, of a very beautiful colour, between a light and a dark brown.

Accompanying text, 1825.

Last Updated

24 Sep 2020