The early environment
The best picture we have of the early South Gippsland environment comes from letters and diaries of the early settlers, and from accounts collected in books on the pioneering years. The following links provide a picture of the hill and marsh country, the Great Forest and the local fauna.
Anderson's letter to La Trobe
Sam Anderson was among the first to settle in South Gippsland. In this brief letter to Governor La Trobe, Anderson outlines the lay-of-the-land as discovered on a three-week journey that covered just over 220 kilometres. His description of the country between Bass Strait and the Bass and Strzelecki hills is less than flattering ... read on >>
Image of Anderson
Sketch image of Sam Anderson from a book jacket.
Description of the Great Forest
From forest giants -- among the world's tallest -- to ferns and native grasses ... find out more >>
Image of the Forest
An early photo of the forest -- note the man in the foreground.
Forest profile
The Great Forest had three distinct levels ... view sketch >>
Forest fauna
The forest supported a great diversity of life ... birds, browsers and burrowers >>