The View From My Beer
The final day of my five-day stay in Norfolk Island. Each day I enjoyed the same view from my balcony overlooking Slaughter Bay and the original settlement of Kingston. I am enjoying a Boags Premum as I reflect on the lives on my fifth great grandparents who were part of the original landing party back in 1788 before they later moved to play a role in pioneering Tasmania.
Norfolk Island
When the decision was made to abandon the first penal settlement in Norfolk Island, most of the residents (including convicts) were repatriated to the recently establish settlement in Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania). Many settled in an area known as New Norfolk. Four of my fifth great-grandparents were born on Norfolk Island and later resettled in Tasmania.
- 1792 – William Butler Saltmarsh – moved to Longford, Tasmania
- 1794 – Frances Rearden – moved to Hobart, Tasmania
- 1795 – Olivia Lucas – moved to Longford, Tasmania
- 1796 – Elizabeth Stevens – moved to Longford, Tasmania
My Walk
I had a few hours today before my flight back to Brisbane. There were still a few places I wanted to see, including the Cascades area in the North and the Queen Elizabeth lookout in the South.
Cascades
On the northern coast is an area known as Cascades. It provides the only alternative to Kingston Pier for getting boats in and out of the water. The coastline is much more rugged here and it looks like the only active use of the port facilities is to lower tourist boats into the water.
Queen Elizabeth Lookout
Queen Elizabeth Lookout is located above the Kingston area and provided the perfect opportunity for me to get one last look at the Kingston area from a slightly different perspective. I have enjoyed the four days on the island. It was very much a different pace of life to many places I have visited. In addition to the rugged coastline, I have enjoyed the chance to encounter up close a piece of Australian and Tasmanian history and the role my own family played.
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