From 1817 to 1824 European explorers struggled to find ways from Windsor to the Hunter Valley. They had to cross the Northern Blue Mountains, now partly occupied by Wollemi and Yengo National Parks.
They relied heavily on Aboriginal assistance. In fact, the first road-route was identified by a party of Aboriginal people, guided by local Darkinjung men. Although they acted under Governor Macquarie's direction they have received little credit for it.
In redressing the balance, his book tells the whole fascinating story, and presents full transcripts of the explorers' journals and letters. It is also revealed that:
- William Parr was not the first European to make a northward journey
- despite extreme dangers and difficulties, Parr was amazingly persistent and showed great skill as a surveyor
- contrary to past interpretations, Pass was probably not repelled by fires lit by Aboriginal people, but by a huge lightning-ignited bushfire - more extensive than any encountered in recent times
Important questions are thus rained about past fire regimes and Aboriginal burning in the Blue Mountains.
This book is an essential contribution to our understanding of the cultural and environmental history of the Blue Mountains region.
Contents:
Introduction
1. Darkinjung
2. Singleton, 1817
3. Parr, 1817
4. Parr's Burning Barrier
5. Singleton, 1818
6. Howe, 1819
7. Myles, 1819
8. Howe, 1820
9. Middleton and Blaxland, 1821
10. Blaxland and Middleton, 1824
11. The Putty Road
Appendix A. William Parr's 1817 Journal and Station Book
Appendix B. Benjamin Singleton's 1818 Journal
Appendix C. John Howe's 1819 Journal
Notes and References
Bibliography
Index
Maps
