Mount Hill (South Australia) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mount Hill
Korti Purre, previously Bluff Mount
Mount Hill, showing its bluff northern face, as viewed looking in a westerly direction from Lincoln Highway near Port Neill, at a range of about 20 km.
Highest point
Elevation	450 m (1,480 ft)
Geography
Mount Hill Location in South Australia
Climbing
First ascent	20 April 1840 George Gawler, John Hill and Thomas Burr

Mount Hill is an important mountain in South Australia. It is also known by its Aboriginal name, Korti Purre. Long ago, it was called Bluff Mount. This mountain is located in a place called Butler.

About Mount Hill

Mount Hill is part of a small group of hills. These hills are found along the eastern coast of the Eyre Peninsula. The mountain is about 25 kilometres (15 miles) west of Spencer Gulf.

How Tall is Mount Hill?

Mount Hill stands about 450 metres (1,476 feet) above sea level. Because it stands alone, it is very easy to spot from the gulf. The land around the mountain used to be wild bush. Today, most of it has been cleared for farming. The closest town to Mount Hill is Port Neill.

History of Exploration

Many years ago, explorers came to Mount Hill. They were looking for new lands.

First European Sighting

The first European to see Mount Hill was Matthew Flinders. He was a famous explorer and sailed past the mountain on March 7, 1802. He wrote about it in his ship's log. He called it a "bluff inland mountain" because of its flat, steep northern side.

Naming the Mountain

Mount Hill got its name around April 20, 1840. This happened when Governor George Gawler was exploring the coast. He was with explorer John Hill and Deputy Surveyor General Thomas Burr. They rode horses north from Port Lincoln.

To get a better view of the land, they climbed the mountain. Governor Gawler decided to name it Mount Hill after John Hill. This was a way to honour his fellow explorer.

More Expeditions

After naming Mount Hill, the group continued their journey. They went north past another mountain called Mount Olinthus. They also climbed and named that mountain. Then, they headed towards the Middleback Ranges.

Later, they returned to Franklin Harbour. Governor Gawler also named this place. Today, it is the town of Cowell.

Overland Journey

The ships that supported their trip were the Porter and the Water Witch. The Porter took Governor Gawler back to Port Lincoln. The Water Witch sailed to Adelaide.

On April 28, 1840, John Hill and Thomas Burr left the Water Witch near Point Riley. This is close to Wallaroo. They rode their horses overland back to Adelaide. This made them the first Europeans to cross the northern part of Yorke Peninsula.

Second Recorded Visit

Another famous explorer, Edward John Eyre, also visited Mount Hill. He climbed the mountain on September 30, 1840.