Five minutes from where I live is Notley Gorge.
It’s a pristine area of rainforest where some of the giant trees have stood for several centuries and even the tree ferns are over 100 years old.
This is also one of the locations in Tasmania that ‘Gentleman’ bushranger, Matthew Brady and members of his notorious gang, hid in the 1820s.
It is reputed that they used this particular burnt out tree, now known as 'Brady's Tree', as a hideout.
Rifles and ammunition were found here.
Brady's short but intruiging life, from his sentence at the Lancaster Assizes and transportation to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania), to his time on Sarah Island and his exploits as a bushranger, make fascinating reading.
He was eventually caught in the Tamar Valley and was taken to Hobart where he was hung, along with other members of his gang, in 1827.
In the next couple of months, I intend to travel to Strahan and visit Hell’s Gates and Sarah Island to learn more about Matthew Brady and other covicts and bushrangers.
Note: My profile picture on the Blog header is taken at Brady's Lookout. From this point the bushrangers could watch for ships sailing down the Tamar River. With no roads through the bush, the river was the only means of transport - and the only real means of escape!
Pics: Notley Gorge - a veritable fairlyland of ferns!
Sign at the start of the walk to Brady's Tree (original sketch by convict artist Thomas Bock - State Library of NSW).
No comments:
Post a Comment