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Since European settlement the Park has been a source of clean water, food, timber, recreational pursuits and tourism. These artefacts, sites and stories bring the past alive. Australia's first urban (or metropolitan) water supply pipeline, still used today, remains testament to colonial ingenuity (see interpreted section of the Pipeline Track at Fern Tree). Forestry, farming and quarrying remains are reminders of historic exploitation. The Park also features remnants of forest huts, the Springs Hotel, Exhibition Gardens, ice houses, historically scenic features and other monuments. Some of today's walking tracks date back to the 1830s, and provided former access to various resources.
Most of the walking tracks however are testament to the strong recreational interest that the Wellington Range has generated from the early 1800s, initially via the New Town Way. Inspired by her visit to the summit of Mt Wellington and the Springs in 1837, Lady Jane Franklin had two recreational huts built at these locations. These were the first recreational huts in the Park, but the ruins of many former 'weekender' huts built by groups of locals in exquisite rustic style can still be found in the rainforest gullies overlooking Hobart. Still extant and in use are the somewhat later (early-mid 1900s) stone cabins, chalets and shelters purpose built for visitors on some of the main tracks.
It is likely that early tracks were also used in part by the early naturalists, such as Charles Darwin, who visited colonial Hobart. The Mountain has been an important site of physical and biological investigations, aiding in the understanding of Tasmanian, Australian and world natural history. Many notable scientists made internationally significant discoveries when visiting the area in the 19th Century.
Access has improved since then but the road from Fern Tree to the Pinnacle remains a legacy to the hard work of many Tasmanians. Short term prison and free labour built the lower section, beginning work in 1888. The section from the Springs to the Pinnacle, opened in 1937, was constructed as a Depression work for the dole scheme. At the time it was controversial, termed 'Ogilvie's Scar' after the Premier of the day who initiated the development.
Over the last 200 years, Wellington Park has also been the site of debate and dispute regarding the conflicting demands of place, aesthetics, visitor use, environmental awareness and exploitive resource activities. The colonial water story is told at the Pumping Shed at the Waterworks Reserve, and is open to the public daily.
Changing times in Wellington Range and Tasmania are detailed in the Historical Notes. The Historic Heritage Inventory and Audit Project considers the preservation of important sites.
Publications are listed for details on the history of the area. Specific information on events may be available through the State Library of Tasmania, Tasmaniana Section. Images can be viewed in the Photo Album.
For information on historic research opportunities in Wellington Park contact the Manager. To report new found heritage places or for other enquires contact the Cultural Heritage Officer.