VIEWS AUST QLD

View of South Brisbane by Arthur Collingridge. A convict settlement was founded on the Brisbane river in 1824. Originally known as Moreton Bay, the settlement was notorious for its harsh punishment of convict reoffenders. In 1839, the surveyors Robert Dixon, Granville Stapylton and James Warner arrived in the area to prepare it for further European settlement. Dixon began work on the first plan of Brisbane town in anticipation of future development and the convict settlement gradually diminished as free settlers moved into the area. The Municipality of Brisbane was proclaimed on 6 September 1859, and became the capital of the new state of Queensland. In a notable attempt to prevent urban slums and overcrowding, the Parliament of Queensland passed the Undue Subdivision of Land Prevention Act 1885, resulting in Brisbane and other Queensland cities having very low population densities.

His fourth expedition was into Queensland in 1845-46.

On 15 December 1845, Mitchell started from Buree (N.S.W.) with a large party. He struck the Darling River much above Fort Bourke thence continued to the Narran River, to the Balonne, and to the Culgoa. On 12 April 1846, he came to a natural bridge of rocks on the main branch of the Balonne, which he called St. George Bridge, and which is the present site of the town of St George (Southern Queensland). Kennedy was left in charge of the main body here, and was instructed to follow on slowly, while Mitchell pushed ahead with a few men. Mitchell followed the Balonne to the Maranoa, and then to the Cogoon now called Muckadilla Creek, near Roma. This rivulet led him on into a magnificent pastoral district, in the midst of which stood a solitary hill that he named Mount Abundance. He then crossed a low watershed to the Marunoa, and awaited Kennedy's arrival. Kennedy overlook him on 3 June 1846, bringing despatches.

Leaving Kennedy Mitchell traversed the country at the head of the Maranoa, and discovered the Warrago River. Keeping north over the watershed, he traversed the Claude and Nogoa rivers, and reached the Burdekin River, which he found was a tributary of the Biirdekln River, discovered by Leichhardt in 1845. Intensely mortified to find that he was on a tributary of the Burdekin River, and approaching the ground already trodden by Leichardt, he returned to the head of the Nogoa, and struck west again, after dividing his party and forming a stationary camp. He then continued west, and discovered the Barcoo River. It was on the Barcoo River that Mitchell first noticed the now famous grass that bears his name. On his homeward journey he followed down the Maranoa River to St. George

The area was originally named for the Plains of Promise or 'Province of Albert' after Prince Albert, the Queen's Consort in 1841. The town was named in honour of ill-fated explorer Robert O'Hara Burke following the overland expedition in 1861.

From, "Discoveries In Australia; With An Account Of The Coasts And Rivers Explored And Surveyed During The Voyage Of H.M.S. Beagle, In The Years 1837-38-39-40-41-42-43."

Mitchell's fourth expedition was into Queensland in 1845-46.

On 15 December 1845, Mitchell started from Buree (N.S.W.) with a large party. He struck the Darling River much above Fort Bourke thence continued to the Narran River, to the Balonne, and to the Culgoa. On 12 April 1846, he came to a natural bridge of rocks on the main branch of the Balonne, which he called St. George Bridge, and which is the present site of the town of St George (Southern Queensland). Kennedy was left in charge of the main body here, and was instructed to follow on slowly, while Mitchell pushed ahead with a few men. Mitchell followed the Balonne to the Maranoa, and then to the Cogoon now called Muckadilla Creek, near Roma. This rivulet led him on into a magnificent pastoral district, in the midst of which stood a solitary hill that he named Mount Abundance. He then crossed a low watershed to the Marunoa, and awaited Kennedy's arrival. Kennedy overlook him on 3 June 1846, bringing despatches.

Leaving Kennedy Mitchell traversed the country at the head of the Maranoa, and discovered the Warrago River. Keeping north over the watershed, he traversed the Claude and Nogoa rivers, and reached the Burdekin River, which he found was a tributary of the Biirdekln River, discovered by Leichhardt in 1845. Intensely mortified to find that he was on a tributary of the Burdekin River, and approaching the ground already trodden by Leichardt, he returned to the head of the Nogoa, and struck west again, after dividing his party and forming a stationary camp. He then continued west, and discovered the Barcoo River. It was on the Barcoo River that Mitchell first noticed the now famous grass that bears his name. On his homeward journey he followed down the Maranoa River to St. George

Rare image of colonial Queensland from the original edition of the Illustrated Sydney News.

Rare print from the original edition of the Illustrated Sydney News.

Rare engraving from the original edition of the Illustrated Sydney News which would have been done from the architectural drawing.

Good early panoramic view of the city of Brisbane which was named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, Governor of New South Wales from 1821-1925. The settlement grew from a penal colony and in 1859 was chosen as the capitol of Queensland and proclaimed a separate colony. From the original edition of the Illustrated London News.