# Mount Nelson, Tasmania

Mount Nelson (/maʊntˈnɛlsən/MOWNT-NEL-sən; Nuenonne/palawa kani: kriwalayti) is a mountain and suburb on the southern edge of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. The mountain rises to a summit elevation of 351 metres (1,152 ft) above sea level and offers sweeping views of the River Derwent, the Meehan Range and surrounding areas.
The suburb covers approximately 5.9 square kilometres (2.3 sq mi), including 14 parklands that account for 16.3% of its area. Its first thoroughfare, Nelson Road, was constructed in 1908 to improve access to the historic Mount Nelson Signal Station, which served as a semaphore link between Hobart and Port Arthur during the colonial era.
Mount Nelson is popular with tourists for attractions such as the Mount Nelson Signal Station, the Truganini Conservation Area, and several walking trails. It also features educational facilities, including Hobart College and the Sustainability Learning Centre, as well as recreational amenities like the University Soccer Club and Mount Nelson Oval. The area's Jurassic dolerite geology supports diverse ecosystems, adding to its historical and ecological significance.

## History

The area now known as Mount Nelson lies within the traditional lands of the Muwinina, whose territory encompassed parts of present-day Hobart and its surrounding suburbs. The Muwinina, along with all Palawa/Pakana peoples, were profoundly impacted by the British colonisation of Lutruwita, then referred to by Europeans as Van Diemen’s Land. Beginning in 1803, colonisation led to widespread displacement and violence against the island's Indigenous population, culminating in what many historians recognise as a sanctioned genocide.
Amidst the Black War, colonial official and pastor George Augustus Robinson undertook an expedition to the island's northeast between 1830 and 1831, documenting indigenous languages and place names with the assistance of his Nuenonne guide, Wurati. During this journey, Wurati shared the term kriwalayti, from the Nuenonne language, which Robinson associated with Mount Nelson, visible from Bruny Island. The latter part of kriwalayti reflects a variation of a southeastern word meaning 'hill,' 'mountain,' or 'peak,' consistent with other local toponyms. The Nuenonne people of Bruny Island and the Muwinina people of greater Hobart belonged to the broader southeastern language group, highlighting the cultural and linguistic connections within the region. The name kriwalayti has since been incorporated into the reconstructed palawa kani language by contemporary Palawa peoples.
Mount Nelson was named in 1811 by Governor Lachlan Macquarie after the brig HMS Lady Nelson, which played a significant role in the early European exploration and settlement of the region. The Lady Nelson was part of the fleet that brought the first British settlers to Hobart in 1803, and Macquarie himself travelled aboard the vessel during his 1811 visit to the colony. Despite common misconceptions, the mountain was not named after British admiral Lord Nelson, famed for his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.

### Modern Developments

Significant suburban development in Mount Nelson began after 1945, driven by government initiatives to accommodate immigrants seeking refuge following the devastation of World War II in Europe. This period marked the transformation of Mount Nelson into a growing residential suburb. A former firing range located north of the bends on Nelson Road was later repurposed as farmland for the University of Tasmania.
A post office, originally named Rialannah, opened on 1 April 1948 and was renamed Mount Nelson in 1956. It remained in operation until its closure in 1971.
In 1967, Mount Nelson was severely affected by the Black Tuesday bushfires, which destroyed a large number of homes and caused widespread devastation across southern Tasmania.

## Naming by Captain Bligh misconception

A persistent misconception suggests that Mount Nelson was named by Captain Bligh during his 1788 visit aboard the HMS Bounty, in honour of his botanist, David Nelson. The existence of Bligh Court and Christian Street, possibly referencing leader of the mutiny Fletcher Christian, located off Nelson Road, may have further contributed to the perpetuation of this myth. This narrative reflects an instance of whitewashing through "historical distancing," a process by which the past is deliberately separated from the present to lessen the immediacy of historical events and obscure accountability. The enduring story of the HMS Bounty, with its famous mutiny, creates a misleading sense of equivalence or parallel with the Black War and the genocide of the Palawa/Pakana nations, further complicating an honest engagement with Tasmania's colonial history.

## Signal Station

Governor Lachlan Macquarie's visit to Van Diemen's Land in 1811 led to the establishment of a signal post atop Mount Nelson. This post served to announce the arrival of ships entering the estuary. The semaphore technology at the signal station became obsolete with the introduction of Tasmania's inaugural telephone line in 1880, linking the Mount Nelson signal station to the Hobart telegraph office. Adjacent to the Signal Station stands the Signal Station Brasserie, housed in the original head signalman’s residence built in 1897.
Historically, signalling operations evolved from flag-based systems to semaphores, with a notable upgrade in 1838 to a towering six-armed semaphore capable of transmitting over 900,000 distinct signals. This network facilitated rapid communication between the penal settlement at Port Arthur and Hobart. Signalmen, often accompanied by their families, endured varying weather conditions, working in shifts from 6am to 9pm.
In 1880, Tasmania's first telephone line replaced the semaphore, marking the advent of modern telecommunications. Despite technological advancements, the station continued to play a crucial role. In 1938 doubts about its future were dispelled.
There was a base station for ship-to-shore radio-telephone communication in 1958. Operations ceased in 1969, ending 158 years of communication history. Since 1979, management of the Mount Nelson site has been under the purview of the Parks and Wildlife Service. Today, the station maintains ties to its heritage, flying the Tasmanian State flag daily and utilising International maritime signal flags to welcome ships and mark special occasions.

## Mountain geography

Mount Nelson is primarily composed of Jurassic dolerite, a coarse-grained igneous rock that forms much of Tasmania's mountainous terrain. This dolerite originated approximately 165 million years ago during the Jurassic period when extensive volcanic activity led to the intrusion of magma into the Earth's crust. The slow cooling of this magma beneath the surface created the characteristic columnar jointing and durable rock formations seen across the region, including at Mount Nelson.
The dolerite bedrock of Mount Nelson is part of the larger geological structure of the Wellington Range, which also includes nearby peaks like kunanyi / Mount Wellington. Over millions of years, erosion and weathering have shaped Mount Nelson's rounded profile and contributed to the development of nutrient-rich soils on its slopes.
The mountain's geological formations support diverse ecosystems, with variations in soil composition influencing the distribution of native vegetation. Additionally, the exposed dolerite outcrops and slopes provide insight into Tasmania's tectonic and volcanic history.
Mount Nelson’s geology is also notable for its connection to the extensive faulting and uplifting that shaped the broader Derwent estuary and surrounding landscapes. These processes exposed the dolerite intrusions that define the mountain’s rugged terrain today.
Geographically, Mount Nelson is positioned with its short northern boundary abutting the suburb area of Sandy Bay and extending through the University of Tasmania to Churchill Avenue. The northeast boundary follows Lambert Rivulet, traversing through the Skyline and Mount Nelson Signal Station Reserve, while the southern border adjoins the Kingborough Council.
Internally, the suburb of Mount Nelson is bordered by the areas of Fern Tree, Dynnyrne, Ridgeway, and Tolmans Hill, as well as the Southern Outlet. This unique geographic placement offers residents a harmonious blend of urban convenience and natural beauty.

## Demographics

With an estimated resident population of 2,766 as of 2022, Mount Nelson contains a population density of 421.7 persons per square kilometre. In 2021, the predominant age group in Mount Nelson is 40 years with 2.5 residents per household.
Of the population, 49.7% were male and 50.3% were female. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people made up 2.0% of the population.
In terms of cultural background, 70.0% of people were born in Australia, while the most common overseas countries of birth were China (5.1%), England (4.0%), and New Zealand (1.2%). English was the only language spoken at home for 77.4% of households, with Mandarin (6.4%) and Cantonese (1.1%) being the next most common languages.
Regarding housing, there were 1,176 private dwellings in Mount Nelson. Family households comprised 68.7% of all households, single-person households 27.0%, and group households 4.4%. The average household size was 2.5 people.
The median weekly household income was $1,687, slightly below the national median of $1,746. Median monthly mortgage repayments were $1,586, and the median weekly rent was $320.

## Facilities and recreation

Mount Nelson is served by the Mount Nelson Medical Centre, a general store, dental clinic and pharmacy. The Mount Nelson Fire Station is situated at 40 Olinda Grove.

### Educational facilities

Mount Nelson boasts several educational institutions, including Hobart College, one of the city's four public secondary colleges. Notably, Queen Mary of Denmark, wife of Frederik X, is an alumna of Hobart College. Mount Nelson is home to Mount Nelson Primary School, catering to approximately 200 students from kindergarten to Grade 6. The school serves as a feeder to Taroona High School and encompasses students from Mount Nelson and Tolmans Hill.

### Truganini Conservation Area

Named after Nuennonne woman Truganini, the Truganini Conservation Area protects native bushland on Mount Nelson's southeast flank. A 90-minute bushwalk (4.2-kilometre (2.6 mi)) from the Signal Station to Sandy Bay offers glimpses of diverse vegetation, a Truganini Memorial, and opportunities to spot wildflowers and native birds, including the endangered swift parrot.

### Wildlife

Mount Nelson is a key breeding ground for the endangered swift parrot. The area hosts around 1,000 breeding pairs, with ongoing conservation efforts focused on protecting and sustaining their habitat.

## Access

Mount Nelson is accessible via Proctors Road off the Southern Outlet and Nelson Road commencing in Sandy Bay. The suburb is serviced by Metro Tasmania bus routes 457, 458, X58 and school routes direct to Hobart College 412, 413, 415 and 417.