Perth, Tasmania

 Perth's history began in 1821 when Governor Macquarie, on a visit from Sydney, stayed with David Gibson of 'Pleasant Banks' across the river, and selected the site for a township, naming it after his host's native town in Scotland.  It was named a town in 1836.

Perth is about 20 kms south from Launceston with a few older buildings and as the years have passed more modern houses especially in the last 5 years have been built.  The South Esk River goes through Perth.

Not far from Perth there is a hill called Gibbet Hill and it's here in 1837 5 years after the practice ceased in England that the body of John McKay was gibbetted (a hangman's type of structure) near the spot where he murdered Joseph Wilson.  There was a great outcry, but the body was not removed until an acquaintance of Wilson passed the spot and, horrified by the spectacle of McKay's rotting corpse, pleaded with the authorities to remove it.

According to documentation, McKay was lowered and buried underneath the gibbet.

This was the last case of gibbeting in a British colony.  

The location is still marked today reading 'Gibbet Hill' on the left side of the road going south from Launceston with a few houses up on the hill.  My father often told the tale of Hangman's Hill!

On a lighter note some photos taken along the South Esk River in Perth, Tasmania last spring.

The bridge over the South Esk River, you can just see a bit of water to the left.

The graffiti is nothing much but it is someone's art.

The toilets and closeup of the cutouts on the walls.

There is a few picnic areas along the South Esk River at Perth, Tasmania and yes, people swim there.

A roadside Library to take or leave a book and a place to sit by the river or go for a walk.