We acknowledge Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and give respect to their Elders, past and present.

Read our Statement of Reflection

Your Cart

Your cart is empty right now...

Discover what's on
Your Stuff
Lists
No lists found
Create list
List name
0 Saved items
Updated: a few seconds ago
Getting Started
Get started with Your Stuff

A free Your Stuff account allows you to save, list and share your favourite collection items and articles. This account will give you access to Your Stuff, NFSA Player and Pro. You will need to create an additional account for Canberra event tickets.

Confirm
Skip to main content
National Film and Sound Archive of AustraliaNational Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive

Winter on the Western Tiers of Tasmania

1930

Winter on the Western Tiers of Tasmania

1930

  • NFSA ID75BBD979
  • TypeFilm
  • MediumMoving Image
  • FormHome movie
  • GenresSilent film
  • Year1930

This silent home movie from 1930 was shot by Herbert John King, who rode his motorcycle through the Tasmanian snowfields in winter. King is following another motorbike and sidecar that almost gets bogged in the treacherous conditions. The breathtaking landscapes are filmed on and around the Great Western Tiers, now part of the Tasmanian WildernessWorld Heritage Site. Highlights include riding through the snow on the Great Lake Road (Highland Lakes Road), extraordinary icicles at Weeping Rock (on the road to Great Lake), and traversing snow and skiing on Projection Bluff and on the top of the Great Western Tiers.

The footage is all the more awesome once you appreciate the difficulty that must have gone into capturing it. Any imperfections in framing or natural lighting add authenticity, reminding us of the physical effort required to document such remote places in 1930. The film’s most compelling moments convey adventure, hardship and natural beauty. However, there's also a sense of fun as we see the holidaymakers (presumably King's family) throwing snowballs and playing in the snow. The film's historical value lies in its being a testament to both the landscape’s grandeur and the filmmaker’s determination.

This silent home movie from 1930 was shot by Herbert John King, who rode his motorcycle through the Tasmanian snowfields in winter. King is following another motorbike and sidecar that almost gets bogged in the treacherous conditions. The breathtaking landscapes are filmed on and around the Great Western Tiers, now part of the Tasmanian WildernessWorld Heritage Site. Highlights include riding through the snow on the Great Lake Road (Highland Lakes Road), extraordinary icicles at Weeping Rock (on the road to Great Lake), and traversing snow and skiing on Projection Bluff and on the top of the Great Western Tiers.

The footage is all the more awesome once you appreciate the difficulty that must have gone into capturing it. Any imperfections in framing or natural lighting add authenticity, reminding us of the physical effort required to document such remote places in 1930. The film’s most compelling moments convey adventure, hardship and natural beauty. However, there's also a sense of fun as we see the holidaymakers (presumably King's family) throwing snowballs and playing in the snow. The film's historical value lies in its being a testament to both the landscape’s grandeur and the filmmaker’s determination.

Decades
    Decades
    Industry professional? Go Pro

    Need to license this item? A/V professionals and researchers can shortlist licensing enquiries via our NFSA Pro catalogue search and membership.

    Get started with PRO

    Collections to explore

    • 1930s

    • 1910s

    • 1870s

    • Start your own collection

      A free Your Stuff account allows you to save, organise and share your favourite videos, audio and stories.

    More in Stories+

    Personalized your experience

    Save, create and share

    With NFSA Your Stuff