Gould's Country - Culture and History

Goulds Country was discovered in the 1860s by the geologist Charles Gould. It was originally known as Kunnarra and by 1900, as a result of tin mining in the area, had a population of 400. At the time the town's buildings included a telegraph office, a school, churches, council chambers, court, savings bank, hotel and public hall.

Goulds Country was also well known for its dairy produce and the rapidly expanding workings at the tin lodes nearby.

Around 1875 tin was discovered in the district. The Anchor Mine (located south of Lottah) was opened in 1880 and from 1880-96 the mine produced 30 734 tons of ore.

During 1899 the mine produced 18 300 tons of stone which yielded 62 tons of tin ore. The water for the mine was brought from the Marie-Louise Dam on the Blue Tier by water race. At the time the plant was considered the most complete of its kind in Australia.

Goulds Country's first hotel was built in 1900 by William Trowbridge. It was destroyed by fire in 1910. However a new public house 'The Travellers Rest' was built and, as Jennifer P. Burns points out in the pamphlet An Introduction to Goulds Country 'It has weathered seventy years of rain, sun and dust and stands as an example and a memorial to all of us. [It no longer operates as a hotel].

'We believe Goulds Country is a fine, unadulterated example of early Tasmania; of how people selected a site and built a pub or a shop and a dwelling. Goulds Country as it stands today is worth keeping and is part of Tasmania's heritage.'

Just near the church in Goulds Country is a beautiful old holly tree which gives an indication of what the climate of the area is like. The Blue Tier rises behind Goulds Country. The views from the town are rural and idyllic.

It is significant that many of the current inhabitants of this tiny settlement are the descendants of such impressive local characters as Alex Johnson. When Alex Johnson moved into the area of Goulds Country he was in his sixties. Although late in life he still managed to cut and clear 50 acres of land. A superhuman achievement. Not surprisingly he lived to the age of 96.