Mount Nelson, Tasmania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount NelsonHobart, Tasmania |
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 Mount Nelson
Location in Tasmania
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| Postcode(s) | 7007 | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | City of Hobart, Kingborough Council | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Clark | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Clark | ||||||||||||||
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Mount Nelson is a suburb of the city of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia above the Hobart suburb of Sandy Bay and to the south of Hobart's CBD. Because of its views over the River Derwent (Tasmania), it is one of the more prestigious suburbs in Hobart.
The main road in Mount Nelson is Nelson Road, which extends up the mountain from the Wrest Point Hotel Casino into the Sandy Bay suburb. It is known for its "bends", which consist of seven very sharp corners created as the road winds its way up the mountain. Nelson Road was constructed in 1908 to provide better access to the Mount Nelson signal station.
History
Mount Nelson was originally named 'Nelson's Hill' by Captain William Bligh (of Mutiny on the Bounty fame) in 1792 in honour of David Nelson, the botanist of the Bounty mission, as "he was the first white man on it" when the Bounty visited 'Van Diemens Land' on its way to Tahiti. Nelson was one of the Bounty crew who was loyal to Bligh during the mutiny. He died at Kupang in Timor on 20 July 1789 of an 'inflammatory fever' caused by the long open-boat voyage following the mutiny. His funeral was attended by the Governor and officers from every ship in the harbour. The name 'Nelson's Hill' was later changed to Mount Nelson.
When Governor Lachlan Macquarie visited Van Diemen's Land in 1811, he directed that a signal post should be established on the summit of Mount Nelson to announce the appearance of all ships entering the estuary. The semaphore technology of the signal station was superseded when Tasmania's first telephone line was established between the Mount Nelson signal station and the Hobart telegraph office in 1880.
Most of the modern suburban development in Mount Nelson has taken place after 1945 when the government encouraged settlement of immigrants escaping the destruction that took place in Europe after World War II. During this same period the section of hillface north of the bends on Nelson Road, which used to be a firing range, was converted into university farm land for the University of Tasmania.
A Rialannah Post Office opened on 1 April 1948 and was renamed Mount Nelson in 1956. It closed in 1971.
In 1967 a large number of houses were destroyed by the Black Tuesday Bushfires.
Features and services
One college is located on the mountain - Hobart College, one of Hobart's four public secondary colleges. Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark - wife of Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark - is a graduate of Hobart College.
Services in Mount Nelson include:
- The Mount Nelson general store, which caters for nearly all basic living needs.
- The Mount Nelson Oval is a recreational sports ground which is used regularly over the weekends to host different sports including soccer and cricket. Located here is children's play equipment. The ground is maintained by the Hobart City Council.
- During the weekday a local bus service runs up and down the mountain every hour.
- The Mount Nelson Medical Centre, which is serviced by general practitioners.
×The Mount Nelson Signal Station Restaurant, yet to be reviewed
Swift parrot
Mount Nelson is one of the breeding grounds for the endangered Swift parrot. It is thought that there are only around 1000 breeding pairs in existence.
Recreation
There are a number of recreational areas and activities in Mount Nelson that are popular with both locals and tourists. Several bushland tracks (e.g. the Historical Truganini walking track) weave through the surrounding area. The Skyline Reserve also includes a collection of walking tracks.
Primary School
Mt Nelson is home to Mt Nelson Primary School. The school has approximately 200 students from Kinder - Grade 6. The school is a feeder to Taroona High School and encompasses Mt Nelson and Tolmans Hill.
The uniform is green and gold.
Signal Station
The Mount Nelson Signal Station (42°55′27″S 147°20′39″E / 42.92420°S 147.34416°E) is only a 15-minute drive from the Hobart city centre and offers visitors beautiful views over the city and surrounding areas. The lookouts and adjacent café are fully accessible, as are the toilets next to the carpark. There is a picnic area nearby with unsheltered picnic tables and barbecues, although wheelchair users may require assistance with the path leading to the area. The Truganini memorial walk, leaving from the picnic area, is a relatively flat and easy walk, although its uneven surface and narrow width make it unsuitable for wheelchair users. The Signal Station located here was built in 1811 to announce the appearance of boats in Storm Bay. Walking tracks link with the Channel Highway, from where the Taroona bus service can be used to return to the City.
