Mount Direction
Mount Direction is a prominent mountain located within Greater Hobart, situated on the city's eastern shore. Part of the Meehan Range, it rises to an elevation of and is situated between the Clarence and Brighton Council local government areas. Its distinct curved shape makes it a visually striking feature of the landscape and one of the most prominent natural landmarks on the eastern shore of the River Derwent.
Geography
Mount Direction is approximately northeast of the Hobart central business district. From its summit, the mountain offers panoramic views of the Derwent estuary, surrounding waterways, and the Greater Hobart area. Its geology is dominated by dolerite, an igneous rock common to Tasmania, formed through ancient glacial and tectonic activity.History
Mount Direction has significant cultural and historical importance. It was part of the traditional lands of the Moomairremener people, a clan of the Paredarerme of the Tasmanian Aboriginal people. The mountain and its surrounding areas were integral to their way of life, providing resources and holding spiritual significance. The slopes of the mountain, overlooking the River Derwent, were used for hunting, gathering, and other daily activities.In 1794, Lieutenant John Hayes of the East India Company named Mount Direction during his exploration of the River Derwent. Hayes recognised the mountain's prominence as a navigational landmark.
Four years later, in 1798, George Bass climbed Mount Direction during his circumnavigation of Tasmania with Matthew Flinders. This marked the first recorded European ascent of the mountain. Bass also became the first European to climb nearby Mount Wellington.
In 1803, Lieutenant John Bowen established Tasmania’s first European settlement at Risdon Cove, located on the southern slopes of Mount Direction. This site was also the location of the first recorded hostile conflict between the Tasmanian Aboriginal people and British settlers. This tragic event marked the beginning of a long and devastating period of displacement and violence for the Moomairremener people and other Indigenous communities in Tasmania.
Art and cultural depictions
Mount Direction’s profile has been the subject of numerous artistic works:- Joseph Lycett, in his early colonial landscapes of the River Derwent.
- John Skinner Prout, whose works are held in collections such as the National Gallery of Victoria.
- Edith Holmes, in her painting Mount Direction, Tasmania.
Recreation