Curio

State Library of New South Wales
Journal of an expedition across the Blue Mountains

Journal of an expedition across the Blue Mountains

11 May - 6 June 1813
Safe 1/22a
Manuscript journal

The Australian born explorer, politician, journalist and poet William Charles Wentworth was one of New South Wales’ most prominent colonists.

In 1813, Wentworth along with Gregory Blaxland and William Lawson lead an expedition that discovered a route across the ‘impassable’ Blue Mountains; as well as the plains beyond the mountains that promised rich pasturage and the future wealth of NSW.

Wentworth used his journal to give an account of the expedition, rather than as a diary containing daily entries. From this document, we know that Wentworth is concerned with soil quality, the availability of water and ultimately the potential for extensive tracts of good grazing land. He also touches on the ‘immense unconnected perpendicular masses of mountain’ that the explorers came across, as well as the ‘Natives’ and various marsupials and birds.

Wentworth Falls was originally called ‘Weatherboard’ after the ‘Weatherboard Hut’, before Governor Macquarie changed its name to ‘Jamison’s Valley.’ It wasn't until 1879 that the name was changed to Wentworth Falls in honour of William Charles Wentworth.

In 1811, William Wentworth was granted his first piece of land on the Nepean River. ‘Vermont’ was 1750 acres (780 ha) and is still a Wentworth family owned property today.

‘Vaucluse House’ was William Wentworth’s family residence between 1805 and 1869. Behind the Gothic Revival façade, the house takes on a mixture of architectural styles. The layout is unresolved and lacks the social grace of a formal entrance.