The Cave of Oakden, Tasmania.

Rare, c.19th hand coloured engraved view of Oakden’s Cave, Chudleigh, Tasmania.

Oakden’s Cave was discovered by Europeans in the early 1860s, with contemporary newspaper reports confirming its existence and exploration by 1862. The cave took its name from Philip Oakden, a Launceston merchant associated with land in the district, and was soon recognised as one of several notable limestone caves in the Chudleigh area. Long before European discovery, the limestone landscape was known to and used by Tasmania’s Aboriginal people.

From the original edition of Australasian Sketcher.

Collections:
National Library of Australia: Bib ID 914558
State Library of New South Wales: REF1/MAV/FM4/9236–9239
State Library Victoria: PCINF AS 06-09-73 P.104