Almost fifty years before the Springs Hotel was built, visitors to the mountain could find—halfway—refreshment, a hot meal and overnight lodging as well as guidance, at Wood’s hostel at The Springs. Simple it was, but it was, perhaps the first ‘wilderness lodge’ in Australia and it operated between 1860 and 1880.
It was also the home of the ‘Old Man of the Mountain’, Henry Woods and his family. As well as looking after tourists, Woods looked after the water supply at the Springs and cut and repaired walking tracks for the Council.
Woods was succeeded for a short time by his son (also Henry), then later by Joseph Thomson and lastly by Daniel Lucy, who had the unfortunate luck of choking to death on a sausage. After this time, a ranger was formally appointed to look after the Mountain and its many visitors.
VALUES
Historical, archaeological and social.
HERITAGE ASSESSMENT
Focus on the Fringe
HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE
In 2018 the Park’s trustees agreed that Wood’s Cottage (WPHH 0407), Woods Stables and Wood’s Hut 2 should have high priority for nomination to the Tasmanian Heritage Register.