Heritage Register
Search>Results>Site Details
Site Details
   
Fort Wellington
Permanent Declaration
Place
The site of a British settlement the physical remains include the foundations and flooring of stone structures, a distinctive cutting in the coral to support boat landings and the remains of the fort.
Established in 1827, Fort Wellington, located at Raffles Bay on the Cobourg Peninsula, represents the second attempt by the British to settle north Australia. A British military outpost in design, its purpose was to serve as a trading post with Macassan seafarers, and to eventually develop into a commercial port. These commercial aspirations were overshadowed by a strategic one, asserting a British presence in the face of perceived Dutch and French interest in north Australia.

With gloomy reports from early settlement commandants, and opposition from thoseadvocating a settlement at Swan River, the Colonial Office finally ordered its abandonment after two years. Fort Wellington¿s last commandant, Captain Collett Barker, proved an able leader of a settlement that was beginning to achieve its objectives and, compared to his predecessors, formed a compassionate and trusting relationship with the Peninsula¿s Aboriginal people. After its abandonment, the site was picked over for iron and then largely forgotten.

The physical remains of Fort Wellington include the foundations and flooring of stone structures, a distinctive cutting in the coral to support boat landings and what appears to be evidence of the fort. The presence of trepang processing sites demonstrate the presence of Macassan people, and signify a relationship with the settlers. There is a high potential for archaeological research to uncover further evidence of structures and the general layout of the settlement, and items associated with daily life.

The remains of Fort Wellington represent the second of three failed attempts by the British to settle north Australia in the nineteenth century. The South Australian government soon followed and on its second attempt eventually found success in Port Darwin. Fort Wellington symbolises the hardships experienced by the settlers, the failure of the Colonial Office to appreciate the particular conditions of the north, and was the stage for cultural contact between the British, Macassans and local Aborigines.
26/09/1995
26/09/1995
26/03/1997
Comment sought
04/06/2010
07/10/2010
20/10/2010
HAC2001/0166
Historic & Indigenous
West Arnhem Shire
Old File no H95/0048
Photo
   
NameDescriptionDate Added
ViewFortWellington 260709_LR5.JPGRuins13/JUL/21
ViewFortWellington 270708 BR 40_LR4.JPGRuins13/JUL/21
ViewFortWellington 270708 BR 25_LR1.JPGStructural remains13/JUL/21
ViewFortWellington 130610_LR2.JPGCutting in the coral reef13/JUL/21
ViewFortWellington 250709_LR3.JPGFort Wellington cairn13/JUL/21
1 - 5
Scan
   
NameDescriptionDate Added
ViewInstrument Fort Wellington .pdfInstrument for Fort Wellington30/APR/13
1 - 1
Further Information
   
no data found
Approximate Location
   
LAIS KeyStreet NumberStreet NameSuburbLocation CodeLot NumberLTO PlanPartTenure
000 02368 0 COBOURG0002368 - - U
1 - 1
Status Explanations
   

Nomination Period - a nomination has been accepted by Heritage Branch, but has not yet been accepted by the Heritage Council; OR a nomination has been accepted by the Heritage Council but the place/object has not yet been subject to a heritage assessment.

Assessment Period - a nomination has been accepted by the Heritage Council and the place/object is in the process of being assessed.

Consultation Period - Heritage assessment has been completed and s24 of the Act has been instigated, ie comment has been sought on a proposal to declare the place/object.

Recommendation Period - the Heritage Council has made a recommendation to declare the place/object and the Minister's final decision is awaited.

Not Recommended - a decision has been made by the Heritage Council not to recommend to the Minister that a place/object be declared

Declared - the Minister has made a decision to declare the place/object

Refused - the Minister has refused to declare the place/object