Port Davey and Lake Pedder (1956)

This silent film captures an expedition undertaken by Robert Tanner, Louis Skoda, Ken Nichols (CSIRO Soil Scientist) and Derry Scott. In January 1956 they fly in two planes piloted by Lloyd Jones and Hans (surname not known) to Port Davey. The aerial footage shows the Huon Valley, Huon River, Arthur Range and Federation Peak and Cox Bight beach where the planes land. On arrival in Melaleuca they undertake a bit of manual labour to assist Deny King, inspect Deny’s tin works and collect soil samples for Ken. The film includes footage of the King’s home, Deny taking weather observations for the Bureau of Meteorology and the King family (Janet, Mary, Deny and Margaret) leaving their home by boat. Footage from their boat captures Bathurst Harbour, Mt Rugby, Celerytop Islands and Breaksea Islands before they come ashore at Whaler’s Point for a crayfish dinner.
The party then walks up and over the peninsula, climb Davey Head, and walk down to Kelly Basin. Clyde Clayton takes the group by boat from Kelly Basin to Settlement Point. The group wades through a flooded Crossing River with the aid of a rope before travelling along the Davey Track. Camp at Lake Pedder shows the group enjoying the contents of a food drop. An Auster plane lands on Lake Pedder beach to collect the group and they return to Hobart.

Photographed by Robert J. Tanner.

Please be advised that this footage may contain words and descriptions that may be culturally sensitive, which reflect the attitude of the period in which the film was produced, and which may be considered inappropriate today.

Tasmanian Archives: Film - Port Davey and Lake Pedder - January 1956 - 8mm print - colour, silent - 15m 23s - (Reference: NS7860/1/3)

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