Mount Huxley (Tasmania)

For other uses, see Mount Huxley.

Mount Huxley
Mount Huxley, taken from the Queenstown airport
Highest point
Elevation926 m (3,038 ft)
Coordinates42°08′24″S 145°35′24″E / 42.14000°S 145.59000°E / -42.14000; 145.59000 (Mount Huxley)[1]
Geography
Mount Huxley is located in Tasmania
Mount Huxley
Mount Huxley
Location in Tasmania
LocationWest Coast, Tasmania, Australia
Parent rangeWest Coast Range
Topo mapOwen: 3833

Mount Huxley is a mountain located on the West Coast Range in the West Coast region of Tasmania, Australia. With an elevation of 926 metres (3,038 ft) above sea level, the mountain was named by Charles Gould in 1863 in honour of Professor Thomas Henry Huxley.[2]

One of the smaller peaks in the West Coast Range, the mountain comprises a large 200-metre (660 ft) outcrop and rock face on its southern side above the King River Gorge just west of the Crotty Dam – parts of which are visible along the river gorge from the West Coast Wilderness Railway where it commences following the King River.[2]

Goldfield

Between April and June 1894 there was a goldfield situated on the slopes, and a syndicate that was discovered to have salted the mine site, with three alleged proponents, Isaac Bertram Barker, William Price and Antonio Briscoe,[3] charged with fraud.[4][5][6] On 1 July the Crown Solicitor told a magistrate that while the mine had undoubtedly been salted, there was insufficient evidence, and the charges were withdrawn.[3]

Location and access

The mountain is located north of the King River Gorge and Crotty Dam and north of Mount Jukes; west of the Tofft River, Thureau Hills, and Lake Burbury; south of Mount Owen and Queenstown.

A very rough track approaches the mountain from the north, and from the south Queenstown area. The southern side is sheer cliff into the King River Gorge.

  • Mount Huxley showing rocky outcrop on the south face above the King River Gorge.
    Mount Huxley showing rocky outcrop on the south face above the King River Gorge.
  • Mount Huxley from the air – from the southwest, and higher than picture at top.
    Mount Huxley from the air – from the southwest, and higher than picture at top.
  • Mount Huxley from the air – from the west northwest from above the old Queenstown landing strip, circa 1975.
    Mount Huxley from the air – from the west northwest from above the old Queenstown landing strip, circa 1975.
  • Mount Huxley from the air, at left, King River Gorge centre, Mount Jukes Highway to right, and Lake Burbury and the Crotty Dam at rear.
    Mount Huxley from the air, at left, King River Gorge centre, Mount Jukes Highway to right, and Lake Burbury and the Crotty Dam at rear.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Mount Huxley (TAS)". Gazetteer of Australia online. Geoscience Australia, Australian Government.
  2. ^ a b Baillie, Peter (2010). "The West Coast Range, Tasmania: Mountains and Geological Giants" (PDF). Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania. 144 (reprint ed.). Hobart, Tasmania: University of Tasmania: 1–13. ISSN 0080-4703. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 June 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  3. ^ a b "THE MOUNT HUXLEY CASE – NO EVIDENCE TO OFFER – ACCUSED DISCHARGED". The Mercury. Hobart, Tasmania. 2 July 1894. p. 2. Retrieved 20 August 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "THE MOUNT HUXLEY GOLDFIELD". The Argus. Melbourne. 22 June 1894. p. 5. Retrieved 4 June 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "TASMANIA". The Inquirer & Commercial News. Perth. 8 June 1894. p. 22. Retrieved 4 June 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "THE MOUNT HUXLEY GOLD-FIELD". The Argus. Melbourne. 6 July 1894. p. 5. Retrieved 4 June 2012 – via National Library of Australia.

Further reading