Background and Objectives

Major Thomas Mitchell, a Scottish Surveyor-General of New South Wales, had established himself as a prominent explorer through two earlier expeditions. By the mid-1830s, European settlers in New South Wales were increasingly interested in expanding their grazing lands and discovering new areas suitable for agriculture. Reports about promising territories to the south heightened the need for further exploration.

To address this, Mitchell’s third expedition was authorised with two primary objectives:

1. Investigate the course of the Darling River, which he had partially explored during his second expedition.

2. Explore the lands south of the Murray River to assess their potential for European settlement.

This journey promised to provide vital insights into Australia’s interior and open new frontiers for settlement.

Preparation and Team

Mitchell’s expedition team was meticulously organised and consisted of soldiers, convicts, and Aboriginal guides. The group also included skilled surveyors and draftsmen to map the terrain and hunters and labourers to ensure the journey was well-supplied. They relied on seventy animals, such as horses, oxen, carts, two boats and a boat cart to transport necessary supplies, including provisions, scientific instruments, and weapons.

One of the most notable expedition members was John Piper, a Wiradjuri guide whose knowledge of the land and its resources proved invaluable. Indigenous guides like Piper were essential for navigating Australia’s challenging landscapes.

The Journey

The expedition began in Sydney in March 1836. Mitchell and his team travelled southwest, crossing the Lachlan and Murrumbidgee Rivers before reaching the Murray River. They encountered diverse terrain throughout their journey, including dense forests, open plains, and numerous river crossings. The expedition faced several challenges, such as harsh weather, problematic river fords, and occasional conflicts with local Aboriginal groups.

Crossing into Victoria

Upon crossing the Murray River into what is now Victoria, Mitchell and his team entered a landscape strikingly different from the arid regions they had previously explored. They encountered rolling plains, abundant watercourses, and lush vegetation—a sharp contrast to the harsher environments of New South Wales and central Australia.

Mitchell was deeply impressed by the fertility and beauty of this region. He described it as “a land flowing with milk and honey,” using a Biblical phrase highlighting its agricultural potential. Convinced of its promise for European settlement, Mitchell named the region “Australia Felix,” which is Latin for “Happy Australia” or “Fortunate Australia.”

Further Exploration

The expedition continued westward, travelling through the Wimmera region until it reached the Grampians mountain range. It then continued past Mt Macedon and crossed the Goulburn River at Tallarook before travelling past Nagambie Lagoon, Wharing, Euroa, and Violet Town before returning to Sydney. Mitchell’s detailed observations and maps highlighted the area’s abundant natural resources, including fertile soils, lush grasslands, and ample water supplies. These features made the region ideal for grazing and farming, perfectly aligning with the ambitions of European settlers.

The team’s journey also provided valuable insights into the local flora and fauna. Mitchell documented numerous species of plants and animals, many of which were unfamiliar to European naturalists at the time.

Encounters with Indigenous Peoples

Throughout the expedition, Mitchell and his team encountered various Aboriginal groups who had lived in these lands for tens of thousands of years. These interactions ranged from friendly exchanges to moments of tension and conflict.

Mitchell’s journal reflects a complex and often contradictory perspective on Indigenous Australians. While he occasionally admired their knowledge of the land and resourcefulness, his expedition inevitably disrupted local communities. In some instances, misunderstandings or perceived threats led to violent confrontations, further exacerbating tensions between Europeans and Indigenous peoples.

One of the most controversial incidents took place near the Murray River, where Mitchell’s party clashed with local Barkindjii Aboriginal groups. This violence resulted in seven Barkindji being killed and four wounded. While Mitchell’s writings framed the event as a defensive action, modern interpretations view it as part of a broader resistance pattern against colonisation.

…….It was difficult to come at such enemies hovering in our rear with lynx-eyed vigilance of savages. I succeeded however… Attacked simultaneously by both parties the whole betook themselves to the river, my men pursuing them and shooting as many as they could, numbers were shot swimming across the Murray, and some ever after they had reached the opposite shore as they descended the bank

Major Mitchell’s report

Mitchell named the site of the attack Mount Dispersion. He faced an inquiry in Sydney afterwards but received only a minor reprimand for his actions. On May 27, 2020, the 184th anniversary of the killings, the New South Wales government officially designated Mount Dispersion as an Aboriginal place, granting it legal recognition and protection as a significant site.

Return and Reports

In November 1836, Mitchell and his team returned to Sydney after completing a nearly eight-month journey. His detailed reports and maps vividly illustrated Australia Felix, highlighting its agricultural potential and natural beauty. Mitchell’s accounts were widely published and quickly captured the imagination of settlers eager to expand into new territories.

The discovery of Australia Felix marked a turning point in the colonisation of southeastern Australia. Within a few years, settlers began to move into the region, establishing sheep stations and farms. The area’s rich pastures proved to be ideal for grazing, contributing to the rapid growth of Australia’s wool industry.

Legacy of the Australia Felix Expedition

The Australia Felix expedition is significant in Australian exploration and settlement history. Major Thomas Mitchell is well-known for his role in mapping and documenting the region, but his legacy invites critical reflection.

From a colonial viewpoint, the expedition symbolises success in discovery and progress. Mitchell’s work facilitated the expansion of European settlement and contributed to Australia’s economic growth and development. The region’s fertile lands remain vital to Victoria’s agricultural industry today.

However, the expedition’s impact on Indigenous peoples reveals a darker aspect of colonisation. The displacement, violence, and cultural loss experienced by Aboriginal communities highlight the human cost of European expansion into Australia’s interior.

Conclusion

The Australia Felix expedition is a pivotal moment in Australian history, embodying both the aspirations and consequences of European colonisation. Major Thomas Mitchell’s journey revealed the potential of southeastern Australia’s fertile lands, opening new frontiers for settlement and economic development. Yet, it also marked the beginning of profound and often devastating changes for the region’s Indigenous inhabitants.

Today, the story of Australia Felix reminds us of the complexities of exploration and colonisation. It invites reflection on the achievements and challenges of Australia’s past, fostering a deeper understanding of the nation’s diverse history and its enduring legacies.

Footnote

In 2023, Birdlife Australia renamed the Major Mitchell Cockatoo to ‘Pink Cockatoo’. The name change was made to: 

• Remove the association with Thomas Mitchell, who led a massacre of Aboriginal people in 1836 
• Make species names more culturally inclusive 
• Avoid associating culturally important organisms with violence and murder

further reading

Journey Map

Explorers Way Brochure

The post Major Thomas Mitchell ~ Journey Through the Heart of Victoria appeared first on Bevlea Ross Photography.

Architectural Features

The Chinamans Bridge had a lift span allowing sawmill and recreation steamers to pass through the Goulburn River. During the 1890s, the Nagambie Sawmill steamer crossed the bridge six times a week. The bridge was named Chinamans Bridge because it was located on Chinamans Road, an area once inhabited by Chinese market gardeners until 1916. Nagambie-Heathcote Road was initially known as Chinamans Road. Constructed of timber girder with hand-hewn squared timber stringers, the bridge features timber corbels and a deck. Of the lift span, only the timber fenders remain. The former drawbridge span was replaced with a steel span around 1940.

Heritage Listed

Chinamans Bridge holds heritage significance for the State of Victoria. It is listed in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) as place number 869 and register number H1449.3.

The bridge is historically significant as one of Victoria’s earliest all-timber road bridges. It is notable for using hand-hewn timber in construction and design details. Despite losing much of its original mechanism, the bridge is a rare surviving example of a bridge with a vertical span. From a historical perspective, Chinaman’s Bridge holds a noteworthy connection to the expansion of Victoria’s infrastructure in the 1890s and its role in the development of transport systems.

The bridge is closely linked with the growth of the township of Nagambie. It represents the prosperous sawmilling industry in the district during the 1890s. Chinamans bridge holds historical significance with its link to the steamboat era in Victoria. During this era in the 1890s, rivers were the preferred mode of transportation for recreational and commercial purposes over roads.

Flood Damage

The decaying bridge timbers were further weakened during the 2022 floods, making it extremely fragile and at risk of collapsing at any moment. Due to the immediate danger of collapse, engineers have deemed the bridge beyond repair. An exclusion zone was declared, and boats have been prohibited from passing under it since then.

The Strathbogie Shire Council has since applied to Heritage Victoria to have the heritage listing removed, allowing the bridge to be demolished.

Update: Permission has now been granted to demolish the bridge and the Strathbogie council has applied for funding to do this.

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