Mount Alexander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Alexander(Lanjanuc) |
|
|---|---|
View from near Harcourt
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 744 metres (2,441 ft) AHD |
| Prominence | 350 m (1,150 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Mount Alexander
(Lanjanuc) Location in Victoria
|
|
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | Thomas Mitchell (first European) |
Mount Alexander is a mountain in Victoria, Australia. It's about 125 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, close to the town of Harcourt. The mountain stands 744 metres above sea level. It rises 350 metres above the land around it.
Mount Alexander is an important local landmark. The area around it was once famous for the goldfields. Today, it's known as the Shire of Mount Alexander, with Castlemaine as its main town. Most of the mountain is part of the Mount Alexander Regional Park. This park is looked after by Parks Victoria. The local Djadjawurrung people call the mountain Lanjanuc.
Contents
What is on Mount Alexander?
Mount Alexander is home to several important communication towers. These towers help send out radio and TV signals. They also help with phone and police communications.
- Broadcast Tower
- Southern Cross site
- Mt Alexander
- Telstra site
- Optus Site Summit
- Victoria Police site
History of Mount Alexander
The Jaara Jaara people knew this mountain as Lanjanuc. It was a special place for ceremonies and a great spot to look out over the land.
First European Explorers
The first European to climb Mount Alexander was Major Thomas Mitchell. He reached the top on September 28, 1836. This was during his journey exploring a region he called Australia Felix. He first named it Mount Byng. But he soon changed the name to honour Alexander the Great, a famous ancient emperor.
Another explorer, Edward John Eyre, camped on the north-west side of the mountain. This was on February 8, 1838.
Gold Rush and Granite
Mount Alexander gave its name to a very famous gold rush. This happened in 1851 and 1852. However, the mountain itself does not have gold. It is made of a type of rock called granodiorite.
The Mount Alexander goldfield was one of the richest places for surface gold. About 4 million ounces (113,000 kg) of gold were found. This gold was found within five metres of the surface. This happened in the first two years of the rush, from late 1851 to 1853.
In the early 1850s, Alexander Tolmer set up a gold escort route. This route went between Mount Alexander and Adelaide. It helped South Australian gold miners. The service also carried mail for miners and their families.
Large-scale quarrying of granite began on the mountain in 1859. This stone was used to build the Melbourne to Echuca Railway. Joseph Blight, a quarryman, started working at Blight's Quarry in 1862. Harcourt Granite became known as excellent building stone.
Special Events and Plantations
In 1867, a huge bonfire was built on the summit. It was lit to celebrate a visit from the Duke of Edinburgh.
In 1900, the Lands Department cleared 20 acres at the foot of Mount Alexander. They planted different types of oak trees there. These trees were meant to provide material for local tanneries. Later, in 1910, the first pine tree plantation was started. These trees were grown to make wood for fruit packing cases.
Local Landmarks and Conservation
Dog Rocks is a large group of granite boulders. It is on the western slopes of Mount Alexander. In 1846, a manager named Lockhart Morton named them. This was because dingoes used to hide there. Today, it's a popular spot for abseiling.
Target Rock is on the north-west slopes. It was once a rifle range used by soldiers. This was between the Boer War and World War I.
Langs Lookout remembers James H. Lang. He worked hard to build a tourist road across the mountain range. In 1928, he proved that a road was possible. The road they explored is now called Joseph Young Drive.
In 1943, a Koala Park was set up on the mount. Koalas from Phillip Island were brought here. Local residents managed the park. It was later moved and made bigger. The park was closed in 2009. Today, the Leanganook picnic area is near where the Koala Park used to be.
Unique Plants and Recreation
Mount Alexander is home to a very special plant. It's called the southern shepherd's purse (Ballantinia antipoda). This tiny plant grows in small patches of moss on granite rocks. It needs damp places to grow. This plant is now extinct in all other known places in Victoria. It is listed as a threatened species across Australia.
Mount Alexander has many walking tracks. Some are easy for everyone. Others are more challenging for experienced hikers.
See also
