Tasmanian Field Naturalists’ Club 
EASTER CAMP OUT, 1920 
By Clive E. Lord, Hon. Secretary 
Tlie term naturalist in its widest sense 
means a lover of nature. Not only the 
collector who goes forth to gather speci¬ 
mens for his collection hut also those 
who delight in the innumerable glories of 
the open way. The bold scenery of sea¬ 
shore and mountain are sufficient for 
some, hut others prefer to examine more 
critically, with the result that every 
inch of country yields examples of its 
flora and fauna to those who seek. A 
camp amidst some section of the primi¬ 
tive bosh offers much to the naturalist. 
Chances of adding to his collections, of 
extending his knowledge, and, above all, 
of spending an extended period in the 
heart of Nature's realm. The Easter ex¬ 
cursions of the Tasmanian Field Natural¬ 
ists’ Club offer such opportunities to the 
naturalist and are taken every advan¬ 
tage of- For the past sixteen years re¬ 
gular excursions have been held, and 
the extent of these may he gauged from 
the following list of places visited and 
the number who attended: — 
1905 — Bream Creek; camping party, 9- 
1906— Cole’s Bay (Freycinet Peninsula); 
camping party. 40. 
1907 — South Bruuv; camping party, 27. 
1908— Maria Island (Soldier’s Point); 
camping party, 27. 
1909 — -Wineglass Bay (Freycinet Penin¬ 
sula); camping party, 84. 
1910— Cole’s Bay; camping party, 97. 
1911— Southport; camping party, 60, 
1912— Maria Island (Darlington); camp¬ 
ing party 69. 
1913 — Safety Cove, Port Arthur; camping 
party, 80. 
1914— Wineglass Bay; camping party. 100. 
1915 — Maria Island (Darlington); camp- 
party, 36. 
1916— Eaglchawk Neck; camping party, 
36. 
1917— Wedge Bay; camping party, 33. 
1918— Safety Cove; camping party, 38. 
1919— Eaglehawk Neck; camping party, 
39. 
1920— Safety Cove, Port Arthur; camp¬ 
ing party, 47. 
During tlie war period only small 
camps were held, and now the shortage 
of shipping and the era of high prices 
make it impossible to visit localities as 
far away as was done before 1914. After 
due lonsideration. Safety Cove was 
chosen as the camp site for 1920, and on 
the morning of Wednesday, March 31, an 
advance party of fifteen members left 
Hobart in the s.s. Reemere, to prepare 
the camp. Fortunately fine weather was 
experienced, and the members of the 
party were able to enjoy the steam across 
Storm Bay. Near Cane Raoul numbers 
of dolphins were seen, and the jihoto- 
graplters of the party had a very busy 
period attempting to secure photographs 
of the evolutions of these aquatic mam¬ 
mals. Lunch was partaken of as we 
crossed Maingon Bay, and soon the cliffs 
of llrown Mountain one of tlie. flanking 
sentinels of Port Arthur, were abeam, 
and the vessel steamed into the sheltered 
waters of the Port, eventually anchoring 
in Safety Cove at half-past 1. after an 
enjoyable trip of five hours. Ail hands 
were scon bnsv transporting the camp 
imnediroenta ashore, and a miscellaneous 
collection of packages began to accumu¬ 
late on the beach. After partaking of 
some light refreshments, thoughtfully pro¬ 
vided by the ladies of the party, the 
cam tiers set to work erecting tents and 
getting the camp : n order. This work 
was continued until darkness fell, and 
the Master moon appeared to gild the 
waters of the cove, and cast soft shadows 
in the clump of encalypts among which 
the camp was pitched. After tea and a 
stroll along the beach. Blanket Bay was 
sought, in order to prepare for the work 
of the morrow. 
Thursday morning gave every promise 
of fine weather, and after an early swim 
and a welcome meal, all set to work to 
