From Fern Tree, you can drive all the way to the summit of Mount Wellington, a potent reminder of Australia's ancient connection to Antarctica. Mount Wellington's hard dolerite rocks, best seen in the spectacular cliffs of the 'Organ Pipes', provide the clearest geological evidence of the mountain's Gondwana connection. Similar rocks are found in Antarctica's north Victoria Land, but are rare elsewhere in Australia.

The view from the mountain summit has been admired by many visitors to Hobart. George Bass was the first European to climb the mountain in 1798. Men from Dumont d'Urville's Antarctic expedition thought it the finest view they had ever seen. Others to climb the mountain included Charles Darwin, Carsten Borchgrevink and Sir Douglas Mawson.

Darwin, author of the theory of natural selection, climbed the mountain in February 1836 during a voyage around the world aboard the ship Beagle. The rocks and fossils he collected here are now held by Cambridge University in England.

As you admire the view to the south, remember that the closest land in that direction is Antarctica!

If you have a fast broadband internet connection, you can also view the media-rich version of this Pathways site, which includes an audio narrative and slideshow.