Photographs copyright and courtesy of Jim Moon, 1977.

Known as Adamsfield or Clarks Hut

Located at the Adamsfield Conservation area, west of Maydena and Mt Field. Take the Scotts Peak Road. The Sawback Range 4WD track provides access but you must apply for the key and provide a deposit to enter the area.

History

Adamsfield is in South West Tasmania and was famous for both its characters and being one of the worlds largest mining sites for osmiridium and iridium metals. These were extracted by alluvial mining from 1924 but it closed in 1960. Osmiridium is very rare and was used in fountain pens and surgical instruments. It was also very valuable at 38 pounds per ounce, a fortune at the time.

It was quite a town, with the Florentine PO opening on 1 November 1925. In its heyday, there were over 2000 people living here, mostly under tents. Many were itinerant and wanted by the law, but the Government was happy to have them in one remote place!

The last person to live permanently there was legendary bushman Stan Gurney.

Caretakers - MHPS. The Mountain Huts Preservation Society are currently undertaking a work program on these huts in 2022.