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 Tasman Peninsula
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This is the Matthew Flinders
Coastal Landform Site,
part of Flinders 2002 Web


The 'Norfolk'

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 naval whistle

Sites:  Tasman Peninsula  (Tas)


   LANDFORM THEME:  Various coastal landscapes
Coastal landscapes result from an interplay of forces including earth movements, sea level changes, geomorphic processes, geological structure, and time. In the cases of the landscapes of Tasman Peninsula and the adjacent coastline, the major rock type is sedimentary (mainly sandstone). This tends to give rise to vertical cliffs, stacks, blowholes and rock platforms. Coal was found on the Peninsula, helping to give an impetus to the development of the area as a convict colony.


   FLINDERS THEME:  Rugged coast north of Hobart

   Matthew Flinders travelled to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) in the colonial sloop Norfolk with George Bass and a crew of eight in Sep 1798- Jan 1799. They explored its western side (discovering and naming Norfolk Bay), and passed by the peninsula's eastern side after their explorations around the district now known as the Hobart area. They then sailed northwards along the eastern coast which had been previously visited by the Dutchman Tasman many years previously. They completed the first circumnavigation of Tasmania, and returned to Sydney. 

 



   Eastern Tasmania well illustrates many landforms of an erosional coastline. The drive from Hobart to Port Arthur, on the Tasman Peninsula, will bring the traveller into contact with many spectacular coastal features. 

This view shows a coastline that is constantly exposed to the forces of marine erosion. Wave action undercuts cliffs, which collapse along their vertical joint planes. In places, columns of rock are left behind while the cliff retreats, leaving sea stacks and arches. In places, the cliffs plunge straight into the sea, while rock platforms skirt the cliffs in other places. 


  'Stony hills ...Frederick Hendrik's Bay'   
[ from Flinders' chart]   
  
   

Photo 1: Erosional coastline, Forestier Peninsula,
Eastern Tasmania


    Wave action applies strong erosive forces to the cliff base at sea level. Particularly important is the effect of wave-carried debris being battered against the cliff. The hydraulic pressure of waves also contributes to rock breakdown. These forces combine to cause the cliff to retreat. Waves also sweep debris from the rock platform at the cliff base.

In a sedimentary area such as this, with horizontal strata and vertical joint plains, the joint planes can be widened to give indentations cut into the cliff face.

Finer sedimentary layers in this Permian age rock may contain fossils. Coal deposits were mined nearby by convicts based at Port Arthur.




Photo 2:  Erosional features (cliff, platform, etc) in horizontal strata



         Flinders chart gives considerable information on the Tasman Peninsula, the Forestier Peninsula (to the north), and surrounding areas. The coastline is seen as indented, with prominent capes (and cliffs) protruding into the sea. The peninsula surfaces are hilly. 

Small patches of the coastline are blank; charting the coast by sailing boat did not always allow a close, direct survey of the coast. Other factors, such as fog, rough sea, low light and winds from the wrong direction could make close coastal charting difficult.



Tasman Peninsula chart

Extract from Flinders Chart, Tasman and Forestier Peninsulas

The colonial authorities of the day would have studied Flinders' journals and charts prior to announcing settlement locations. It is easy to see why the Tasman Peninsula suited the location of a convict settlement; isolated and difficult to escape from. 

 

      Flinders and Bass, upon leaving the area of the Derwent, sailed northward along the east coast of Tasmania. Flinders' efforts included checking the charts of Tasman and others, who sailed this part of the coast many years previously. Unfortunately, the time allowed by the Governor had expired, and the Norfolk had to be brought back to Port Jackson (Sydney), thus preventing as detailed a study of the coast as Flinders would have preferred. 
   '... Schouten's Island was passed within two miles at ten o'clock, and at eleven, a piece of land called Vanderlin's Island by Tasman, but which has since been found to be the southern extremity of a peninsula.'  
 - Matthew Flinders in Terra Australis, 4 Jan 1799

' ... my limited time of absence being expired, and provisions nearly out, nothing more could be attempted than what might be done in the way to Port Jackson.'
 - Matthew Flinders in Terra Australis, 4 Jan 1799

 

 


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(photo button above: eastern Peninsula panorama)

Tasman Peninsula
MAP


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For further information

LANDFORM LINKS
Tasman Peninsula - Photos
Sandstone (rock type of parts of Tasman Peninsula)
Tasman Peninsula - Coal Mine
Tasmania's Cimbing Areas (Tasman Peninsula, etc)
Tas Library - Painting of Eaglehawk Neck: Isthmus
Tas Library - Painting of Investigator: Cape Wilberforce


ENVIRONMENTAL LINKS

Tasman Peninsula National Park
Tasman Peninsula (Interactive Tour of Tasmania)


PEOPLE LINKS

Port Arthur (Interactive Tour of Tasmania)
Port Arthur Historic Site
Tasmanian History - Heritage



Printed Materials

 White, M.E. - Running Down: Water in a Changing Land
Kangaroo Press, East Roseville NSW. 2000

Reader's Digest Coast of Victoria, Tasmania & South Australia
Surrey Hills, NSW. 1986

Clark, I.F. & Cook, B.J. - Geological Science: Perspectives of the Earth
Australian Academy of Science, Canberra ACT. 1983

Weidenhofer,M. Port Artur: A Place of Misery
Oxford University Press, Oxford. 1981

Reader's Digest Scenic Wonders of Australia
 Reader's Digest, Surry Hills NSW. 1976


Fish,G. & Yaxley,M. Geology and Landscapes of Tasmania
Jacaranda Press, Brisbane. 1972

and  Matthew Flinders  Books


On Video:

 'The Navigators' Mini Series by Klaus Toft, ABC. 2002


 


Site / Photo (c) C.Grant 2002, 2003