Plate 17: Mount Gambier, with one of its volcanic lakes (after sunset). Part of the text accompanying the illustration reads 'About nine miles from Mount Schanck ... are the extinct Craters of Mount Gambier, containing several volcanic lakes, enclosed within abrupt walls of lava. The hollows or craters are three in number, that, at the western extremity being the most extensive ... At the end next the lake, cliffs of white coral limestone occur, descending to the water ... in the month of May 1844 ... I visited this singular crater ... between the principal crater and the central one is a terrific wall of lava ... the third and eastenmost, is entirely occupied by a lake of unknown depth, that looks fearfully dark and gloomy when viewed from the heights above; the accompanying sketch is taken looking across the last mentioned lake, towards the principal crater ...'.

Mount Gambier, with one of its volcanic lakes, after sunset. Part of the text accompanying the illustration reads About nine miles from Mount Schanck ... are the extinct Craters of Mount Gambier, containing several volcanic lakes, enclosed within abrupt walls of lava. The hollows or craters are three in number, that, at the western extremity being the most extensive ... At the end next the lake, cliffs of white coral limestone occur, descending to the water ... in the month of May 1844 ... I visited this singular crater ... between the principal crater and the central one is a terrific wall of lava ... the third and eastenmost, is entirely occupied by a lake of unknown depth, that looks fearfully dark and gloomy when viewed from the heights above; the accompanying sketch is taken looking across the last mentioned lake, towards the principal crater ....

This is one of 60 coloured lithographs found in the 1847 edition of South Australia Illustrated by colonial artist George French Angas, together with a descriptive passage for each. The lithograph was created by J.W. Giles from Angas' original painting. The date assigned is assumed to be approximately when the lithographs were created; the original paintings were done in earlier years.

South Australian Governor, Sir George Grey and artist George French Angas together with the expedition party continued inland from the coast and climbed Mount Schank and Mount Gambier, extinct volcanoes which dominate the South East region of South Australia. They also discovered and named Mount Burr. They had left some of the expedition at Rivoli Bay to survey the area. Angas's illustration of Mount Gambier shows what is now known as the Blue Lake, because of the way in which it changes to a bright blue between November and April, before reverting to a duller colour for the remaining months of the year. Angas wrote in his description of the lake that it was 'of unknown depth, that looks fearfully dark and gloomy when viewed from the heights above ...'

George Grey was appointed Governor of South Australia in October 1840. He had previously explored in Western Australia, and served as Resident Magistrate at King George Sound. In 1844 he took time out from his government duties to explore the south-east portion of the colony, which was only known from the brief reports of men overlanding stock from Victoria. In 1845 Grey was appointed Governor of New Zealand and subsequently of South Africa. George French Angas was the son of George Fife Angas and a trained artist. He arrived in South Australia in January 1844 and joined Grey on his expedition and his paintings, published several years later in South Australia illustrated and form a valuable record of the South Australian landscape before it was much changed by white settlement.

Grey, George, Sir, 1812-1898

Giles, J.W.

Colwell, M and Alan Naylor. Adelaide: an illustrated history, [Joslin, S. Aust.]: McP, 1981

Insights into South Australian history, volume 2: South Australia's German history and heritage, Harmstorf, Ian A. ed, Adelaide: Historical Society of South Australia, 1992-

Kwan, Elizabeth. Living in South Australia: a social history, Netley, S. Aust.: South Australian Government Printer, 1987

Migration Museum. From many places: the history and cultural traditions of South Australian people, Kent Town, S. Aust.: Migration Museum (History Trust of S.A.) in association with Wakefield Press, 1995

Tregenza, John George French Angas, artist, traveller and naturalist, 1822-1886 Adelaide: Art Gallery Board of South Australia, 1982

Rutherford, J Sir George Grey, K. C. B., 1812-1898: a study in colonial government London: Cassell, 1961

Milne, James, The romance of a pro-consul: being the personal life and memoirs of the Right Hon. Sir George Grey, K.C.B. London: Chatto & Windus, 1899

Burr, Thomas 'Account of Governor Grey's exploratory journey along the south-eastern seaboard of South Australia', Journal of the Royal Geographical Society, vol. 15, 1845, pp. 160-184

Treasures of the State Library of South Australia: George French Angas South Australia illustrated

Australian Dictionary of Biography Online Edition: Search for Angas, George French

George Edward Grey Wikipedia

George French Angas Wikipedia

Pictures Catalogue National Library of Australia

PictureAustralia

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing. Taking it to the edge August 2004-

Treasures of the State Library of South Australia: George French Angas