Stevensons Peak

Stevensons Peak

From a European perspective. William Christie Gosse ‘discovered’ Stevensons Peak in 1873. Of course, this area was the home of Anangu for thousands of years before this ‘discovery’.  In 1859 Gosse joined the South Australian Government Survey Office. In 1873  he led a government expedition to explore between the Overland Telegraph Line at Alice Springs and Perth.

Damien and Suzie Coulston

Gosse’s party consisted of his brother Harry, Edwin Berry, Henry Winnell, Patrick Nilen, three Afghan camel drivers (Kamran, Jemma Khan and Allanah) and an Aboriginal boy, Moses. A mixed party of horses, camels and a wagon left Alice Springs telegraph station on 23 April 1873. Some three months la,ter Gosse arrived at Uluru – which he named Ayers Rock. His description mirrors the astonishment he felt: ‘The hill, as I approached, presented a most peculiar appearance…it was one immense rock rising abruptly from the plain…[It] appears more wonderful every time I look at it, and I may say it is a sight worth riding over 84 miles of spinifex sandhills to see.’

Breakfast at Stevenons Peak

From Uluru, Gosse and his party explored west to Mount Olga and Stevenson’s Peak and then south to the Mann Ranges.  We worked at Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park in 2005 and headed to Stevensons Peak for a relaxing break.

Traditional Owners

Our party sought the permission of Traditional Owners to visit and camp in their homelands. Approval was given to us and we felt very privileged. It was a fantastic trip for us, passing through Casuarina glades and beautiful spinifex country. At one point, we encountered grass trees (Xanthorrhoea thorntonii) and having grown up in the Great Victoria; this was a great surprise and joy to see.

I have yet to make too many group trips like this, but I have fond memories of this trip. We camped together and swapped stories. Damien and Suzie’s children, who’d lived most of their life on the East coast, made their fun.

As someone born and bred in the Interior, there was a meeting of kindred spirits sharing this time.  A fantastic few days devoid of work and a shared and melded experience.