34 
JOURNEY OF LOGAN, CUNNINGHAM AND 
FRASER NEAR MT. ALFORD TOWNSHIP * 
By E. J. SMITH 
On 7tli August, 1828, Logan, Cunningham and 
Fraser camped at Dalhunty Plains, about three-quarters 
of a mile from the site of the present Mt. Alford town- 
ship. Mt. Alford is near Boonah, and about .30 miles 
S.S.W. of Brisbane. Their previous camp had been at 
the foot of Minto Craigs. From the top of these eraigs 
they had observed to the North some extensive plains 
extending to the base of Mt. French. To reach these 
plains, instead of following the valley of the Teviot, the 
explorers took a straight course W. by N. of a tract of 
rugged forested ranges consisting of ironstone and 
volcanic rocks. 
Although their purpose was to find a way directly 
westward to Cunningham's Gap, circumstances later led 
them to follow the valley of the Teviot. 
At one o’clock they reached the second plain, and set 
u]i their tents near a pool of fine water. These plains 
were named Dalhunty Plains. This camp was about 
a mile NAY. from the present, site of Mt. Alford town- 
ship. Cunningham observed the latitude, which was 
28° 4' 26". 
Some people are under the impression that the 
plains near Minto Craigs are Dalhunty Plains, because 
the present Cooehin Homestead is in that vicinity. But. 
as Mrs. G. A. Bell writes : “The old homestead was at 
first situated at Bnn.jurgen, but when the Settlement 
Act was passed, it was decided that it would be of 
greater convenience to have it in a more central spot, 
so the present position was selected twelve years before 
we came.” 
During the afternoon of the 7th, Logan and two of 
his servants examined the rocky western ridges, which 
are a continuation of Mt. French, in an attempt to find 
a passage to the Gap. At the close of the day Logan 
returned, and said that it was impracticable because of 
the impenetrable nature of the pine forests with which 
Mt. French is surrounded. 
Next morning (8th August) they proceeded along 
Dalhunty Plains, following the valley of the Teviot, 
which skirted the south-east base of Mt. French. 
‘Members ot the Queensland Naturalists' Club visited Mt 
Alford, near Boonah, durinq the Easter holidays of 1949. Mr 
E. I. Smith, who has been resident in the district ior many 
years, has written these notes on the early history cf the 
area — Editor. 
