Place Names Register Extract
Escape Cliffs
If you know of any information about this place name which does not appear in this extract, please let the Place Names Committee know by completing a submission form.
Print Extract | Search Again| Name | Escape Cliffs |
|---|---|
| Type Designation | Cliff |
| Place Id | 12721 |
| Place Type | Feature |
| Status | Recorded |
| Date Registered | |
| Location (Datum GDA94) | |
| Latitude: -12° 08' S (Decimal degrees -12.1384) | |
| Longitude: 131° 15' E (Decimal degrees 131.2507) | |
| View Map | View in NT Atlas | View in Google Earth | |
| Locality / Suburb | |
| Hotham | |
| Local Government Area | |
| History/Origin | On September 9th, 1839, Messrs J.L. Fitzmaurice and G. Keys under Commander J.L. Stokes of H.M.S. Beagle landed at the mouth of the Adelaide River at the foot of some low cliffs to compare compasses. Whilst doing the observations a group of Aboriginals appeared on the cliff above them and became a threat to their safety. A boat was sent to collect Fitzmaurice and Keys who ran and swam for their lives with the Aboriginals follwoing. Stokes subsequently named the cliffs, "Escape Cliff" after that incident. (South Australian Parliamentary Paper #89 of 1865, page 13 para. 2) Finniss' 1865 map of exploration from the settlement shows the name "Escape Cliffs". Goyder's 1885 map and subsequent maps upto 1970 have shown the cliffs as "Escape Cliff". In November 1973, the Surveyor-General in a report to National Mapping indicated the name should be "Escape Cliffs". |
Register & Gazettal information
| Date | Gazettal | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| (None Found) |