Near Risdon in Clarence, Tasmania, Australia — Oceania

Risdon Landing Centenary

The marker erected in 1903-4. image. Click for full size.

1. The marker erected in 1903-4.

Inscription. This memorial
erected to commemorate the Centenary
of the landing at this spot of
Lieut Bowen, RN
on 13th September 1803,
was unveiled by His Excellency the Governor
Sir A. E. Havelock, G.C.S.I.,
G.C.M.G., G.C.I.E.
22nd February 1904.

Erected 1904 by Tasmanian State Government.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is February 22, 1904.

Location. 42° 48.833′ S, 147° 19.467′ E. Marker is near Risdon, Tasmania, in Clarence. Marker can be reached from East Derwent Highway. The marker is about 300 meters off the East Derwent Highway, through a carpark and on the banks of the Risdon Rivulet. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Risdon TAS 7017, Australia. Touch for directions.

More about this marker. The marker has been frequently defaced as part of on-going political protests.

Regarding Risdon Landing Centenary. In September 1803 Lieut. Bowen, on instructions from the Colonial Office in London, established Tasmania's first European settlement on the banks of a rivulet that flows into the Derwent River. In Feb., 1804, David Collins arrived in the Derwent with a collection of convicts,

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free settlers and military personnel and set up a rival settlement a few miles downstream at what became Hobart. Collins had previously tried unsuccessfully to establish a settlement 550kms north on the Australian mainland. He outranked Bowen and it was his settlement, not Bowen's, that became the prime city of Tasmania. The Bowen settlement at Risdon was abandoned in 1804. The area of the settlement returned to its natural state.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Additional keywords. Hobart Collins settlement Risdon Cove Tasmania

The marker on the banks of the Risdon rivulet. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Peter Mackie

2. The marker on the banks of the Risdon rivulet.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2015. This page has been viewed 893 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on March 24, 2015. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 20, 2015. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.