Hiking to the Ghost Town of Adamsfield, South West Tasmania

In November 1924 a discovery was made by 5 men in a remote creek. 42 kilometres from the nearest township of Fitzgerald, Tasmania. The discovery was to be the worlds largest alluvial deposit of Osmiridium. The densest element on the planet and is believed to have arrived via meteorite. At the time, this natural occuring alloy was worth seven times the price of Gold.
In this video I head out into the remote part of Tasmania South West to discover what remains of the once booming township of Adamsfield.
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[@schrammrobert699]

Thanks Rob for the video! Unlike many others on here, I am well aware of Adamsfield as it is part of my families history. My great grandfather mined Osmiridium. I've always wanted to check it out. Rumours (from family legend) were that it could be quite a sketchy place to be way back then. My great grandfather met an untimely end and there were rumours that he'd found quite a large deposit that day and had celebrated by a drink or three. He allegedly fell asleep and fell into the fire (we have newspaper reports etc) in his hut but we believe that he was murdered (for his find). See - sketchy :). Great to see your history of the township. Thanks again - it gave me a visual reference of where he lived and worked. Cheers, Rob.

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thanks for very interesting comment, no doubt some shady characters about in the mining towns. I do believe later on Adamsfield had a very good reputation and they sought out trouble makers and removed them very quickly. Sorry to hear about your great grandfather.

[@Pablodwnunda]

My family lived there for a little bit before moving on

[@dinapanizza4276]

That’s another extremely interesting video! Thanks Rob. I’m sure I’m not the only person that has never heard of Adamsfield or Osmiridium either and I’m really enjoying your research and the way you tell a story… then there’s the photography!!!…. WOW 🤩

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thank you Dina! :-)

[@elizabethfraser3270]

I agree Dina

[@erinparsons8412]

Forever in awe of your incredible films, my love ❤️

[@Rob.Parsons]

Love you my Angel 😍 😇

[@vdlau]

Thanks Rob! Looking forward to watching

[@damienphillips9278]

Mate! Another epic view of tassie history, thanks for taking us along on the journey, you never disappoint 👍🏻

[@Rob.Parsons]

My pleasure mate 🙏

[@tonymcguinness8947]

Wow a beautifully presented video. No one comes close to the effort you go to to bring these areas to life for us watching at home. You are an amazing person with a natural talent for what you do. 🤗😀👍💪

[@Rob.Parsons]

Such a nice comment Tony thank you 😊 🙏

[@pennymarkham3376]

Thanks Rob, fabulous video. My grandad mined Osmiridium at Adamsfield with his father. My dad and uncle lived there and have fabulous memories as little boys. Grandma was the bush nurse and met and married Grandad. We have all been there as a family in the 80s. There were still huts standing back then and we could get to the Roach’s hut (my family) quite easily. Grandad and his dad built a dam with a race to process the heavy metal and all of that was still there. The dam was mind boggling as it was huge and hand dug. Human ingenuity at its finest.

[@Rob.Parsons]

Amazing comment, thanks penny!

[@rodneygrice3898]

Thanks Rob, brought many, many memories back from my youth doing like yourself but on a motorcycle and then onto the first 4WD Subaru ever sold in Tasmania then a LJ 50 Suzuki all of which made it to Adamsfield via the old pack track from the Florentine accessed via APPM roads with a permit. My early trips was before the fire so many buildings were still standing but nature was rapidly reclaiming them. After the fire bottle hunters pretty much dug most things over in there search. I still get out there on occasions but via the Saw Back Range track and Clear Hill Road. I'm glad my son introduced your videos to me as I identified with a lot of your other trails that are being lost which I traversed a long time ago. Magic photography, great narration, great sound tracks, but best of all your keeping the dream alive. As a side note have a look at "I had a quid to get" by H.A.(Jim Lane) its a good read. Many thanks Rod G

[@Rob.Parsons]

Sounds very amazing Rodney, i'd of loved to have seen the township before the fire. Thanks for your great comment. :-)

[@metricstormtrooper]

The funny thing is that I learnt to write with a Dip pen as soon as I was old enough to expand my horizons from a slate and chalk, this was in 1962. I went to a small outskirts of Sydney school that was a time capsule from1883, I consider myself to be very lucky to have experienced it. My Android tablet is just about exactly the same size as those slate tablets us little kids learnt to write on. Thanks for the brilliant video, I have subscribed.

[@lancewaddell-smith3170]

Great comment ! Are you still using chalk on the tablet or have you found some power 😉. Sounds like you got your “ pen licence “ very early , well done ! So great to read , hear these comments & Rob’s films taking people to places some will never get to see 🙂❤️

[@johnedwards7899]

I learnt to wtite withh a slate and chalk too. I was amused to see that they were about the same size as a modern device, a computerised slate.😁 And thanks for that very interesting video too Rob. I grew up in GeorgevTown, which has a very interesting history too

[@EllaTaylor-fk8yr]

Your passion for your subject is truly admirable.

[@RealFarknMcCoy]

Thanks for the fantastic and fascinating video! I have watched while cutting up insulation for my upcoming van build, and it helped make a boring task far more bearable. Your production values are amazing, as well as it being an interesting subject. Thanks again! You have a new subscriber.

[@davidbutton8497]

Nice of you to. Bring back. Parts of Tasmanian’s long forgotten. A little light 💡 came on in my head watching this Thankyou Rob. 😳👍

[@Rob.Parsons]

My pleasure mate glad you enjoyed it!

[@insidebendprospecting]

Thanks for sharing that epic adventure with us! I admire your interest and respect for history and exploration, really fun to watch. Looking forward to seeing what you find next

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thanks Homie stay tuned! got something big coming up!

[@JosesGaraje]

Nice jungle hat! Excellent production can't wait for more! Cheers.

[@markzimmerli1793]

Found your channel a week ago and have binge watched everything. Amazing photography, incredible adventures and a history lesson to boot. Love it! Keep up the great work!

[@Rob.Parsons]

WOW great effort to watch everything! Please share my work if you know anyone who would enjoy it as much as yourself, thanks mark!

[@tonyb.9703]

Awesome video as always ! Thanks for sharing this journey. 👍🙏🙏🙏

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thanks Tony B!

[@georgestone2083]

Thank you for the amazing country and story you share with us all. That's a place I just wished I could visit.

[@glendonblazely4114]

My grandfather used to run a team of packhorses into Adamsfield in 1926 bringing supplies in from Hobart for a store there. He wrote a book about his experiences called : I had a quid to get, Adamsfield 1926 and other stories...put out by the lions club back in the 1970s! We took him back to see it in the mid 1970s for a day trip, there wasn’t much left even then...

[@Rob.Parsons]

Unreal, yes I have that book. Signed by Jim!

[@ericvanderneut3764]

Thanks Rob, for taking me into another beautiful part of Tasmania and sharing its history with me

[@Rob.Parsons]

My pleasure Eric appreciate the comment lad!

[@tassie2348]

Rob, hubby and I love your channel. Although we are both retired, we do try and get out and about to some places that you visit albeit our physical ability forbids us to go as far as you do! Thanks for a fabulous step back in time.

[@Al1978Newman]

Nice one Rob - #KeepOnKeepingOn

[@kristinepiper2675]

Loved watching this episode. My husband and I were living in Tassie because he was posted there in the navy. We bush walked so much of Tassie. Walls Jerusalem, cockle Creek (brilliant walk) Kelly's basin. many many more. We did Adams in about 1994. Was walking in new scarper boots (not good) we could make out where all the buildings were. There was lots if daffodils where someone's front garden was. Actually so sad to see that you can drive right down to it. There is something about having to walk all the way in there and being the only one there. While we were watching your episode we so which you saw Tassie when we saw it. So much of it is overgrown now. Cheers

[@Rob.Parsons]

Sounds amazghing Kristine I wish I had the opportunity to see it back then, fascinating!

[@cfsmtbation]

Just found your channel, great work on Adamsfield, my grandad was out there in the 1920s. Photos passed down thru the family illustrate how rough working conditions were in such a isolated place.

[@billainslie5060]

What a great mission - your videos are a credit to you. I love the history of these boom towns and they are indeed dotted around tasmania - you just have to find them. Reminds me of the blue tier. Keep em coming mate 👍🌞🍺 Cheers nick ainslie.

[@ummme7742]

Hey Rob. I came across this Video as a suggestion from KZbin! Loved it!! I immediately subscribed and my wife and I have been watching all of your videos! As a 'fellow Tasmanian' I'd like to thank you for the amazing work you do to showcase our beautiful Island home and it's associated history! I don't comment on KZbin videos, however we are enjoying yours so much I felt I should make the effort to do so and thank you. Great work mate, looking forward to the next one! Regards Michael & Alexandra.

[@Rob.Parsons]

Hey guys I really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and am so happy you enjoy my videos. Welcome 🤗

[@danettestringfellow1765]

009.

[@empireofpeaches]

Great adventure with some interesting history. I loved the scenery on the way back over the range.

[@empireofpeaches]

And seeing how you did the tracking shot was cool!

[@nicholasclifford7830]

Hey Rob, I appreciate the production values and time you must spend to get this quality of video with limited equipment and resources, kudos on a terrific and interesting story….and thanks again…..Nick in Cygnet…

[@Igloo3471]

I knew an old gentleman back in the 1970s who was a geologist that had an incredible polished stone display in his home entirely from stones he found in his travels at Adamsfield in the 40s through to probably around 1977. He lived at North Hobart from memory.

[@logsie3918]

Another great production Rob It was awesome to see the old Myrtle road still there in places and what a great impromptu campsite which inevitably lead to an old path lost in time back to town. The fires sounded a bit suss with the forestry going in not long behind them.

[@Rob.Parsons]

yep, maybe something to do with the Gordon Dam too

[@benjaminnissen7977]

Great work as usual, thanks again. Beautiful creative shots, well thought out and good content. Consistently awesome!

[@Rob.Parsons]

My pleasure Benjamin 😃

[@mattmclean4863]

Another great video Rob. Tassie has some amazing history!

[@Rob.Parsons]

So much history!

[@matthewgnezdiloff138]

Just discovered your videos and have been smashing through your back catalogue, these adventures are the stuff of dreams … they are beautifully created, keep up the great work

[@Rob.Parsons]

Hell yeah so stoked!

[@zenaakers7469]

another spectacular film and very welcome break from reality here. Thank you, all the best to you and yours.

[@lampanish]

Great to see/hear you back on youTube.

[@Rob.Parsons]

More to come! Thanks Rod.

[@wayneberry8703]

Great video, Rob! Love the history of this place.

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thanks mate! I still gotta get out the north east for a trip one day.

[@harleetriffett7951]

Ive always wanted to visit Adamsfield!! Thankyou for the history. Thankyou for the adventure. Thankyou for uploading!! We love your work!!

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thanks Harlee!

[@mattlo73]

Really enjoyed this video Rob. My first of yours and can’t wait to get into some more now! Awesome. Keep up the great work 👍🏻

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thanks Matthew, I hope you enjoy them!

[@jhallack7491]

Another cool adventure with Rob!

[@ervinslens]

Brilliant upload mate, so nicely edited and video composition is gorgeous.

[@Rob.Parsons]

cheers!

[@paulbarry9810]

Another Great Journey and Story Rob...Cheers

[@gavinkennedy7372]

Awesome video. My great great grand parents had pack horses back in the day at maydena and my grand father mined out there when he was very young. In 1965 he joined a broken section of the old phone line, during a day trip out the Mid the mid 80's with rusty morley he found the join and cut it out and kept it. I now have it to hand down to my son. History I have only found out my family had in the last 10years.

[@Rob.Parsons]

That's fascinating Gavin. what a treasure!

[@lukepatton7761]

Great video, just stumbled across this on my feed. Really good watching, love the history and adventure content. Now subscribed, thanks for sharing.

[@Rob.Parsons]

That’s epic to hear some of my work is being seen outside the normal group. Welcome!

[@SmallWonda]

Cheers Rob - great Adventure - but you never know who you gonna run into even in the back & beyond! Pretty shocked to see so much bracken, sort of surprised something's not being done, but it looks so pervasive could be too late, it is a menace, it'll over-run everything native. Nice to see the corduroy road surviving and you sharing the history helps keep the heritage alive. Thanks for this... Keep safe!

[@petemellows]

As a late subscriber, I just saw this. It takes me back to when I was running MTB tours along Saw Back Range and Adamsfield. We used to stop for lunch on the ridge above the old mine. A great video. Thanks.

[@goodevins9408]

So well created and such very entertaining and informative 🎉

[@obzenmeshuggah5912]

Exceptionally well done. Awesome adventure 👍🏻

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thanks ☺️

[@Arianacccosta]

I live in Tassie , but have never heard of this place !!! Interesting video . Thank you !

[@peterbuttge7434]

I first went in there 1965 before the Gordon Road Opened on the way to Gordon Gorge. We (HWC) came in via ANM Roads and Churchill Spur. Tracks and bridges were still negotiable and Adamsfield Buildings were still in good nick. Hard to believe that every Man & his Dog can drive in with 4x4 which takes the gloss of the wilderness experience. Enjoyed this presentation so keep them coming.

[@Rob.Parsons]

Damn I envy you! I would of loved to see it like that

[@MattKing-rr6ei]

Thanks Rob, I too walked out there many years ago, when 'Rusty' Morley was still with us, following his directions. Amazing place and brought back many good memories.

[@Rob.Parsons]

Wow thats impressive! id love to know the route you took? Thanks!

[@chaosstate4491]

Better than TV Rob. Keep it going....

[@Rob.Parsons]

will do!

[@donners66]

Top stuff Rob. Thoroughly engrossing. Pity nothing much remains of the township. My Dad visited Adamsfield before the bushfires with a scout group. Artefacts everywhere back then apparently. I loved the Wiral vision near the end 👌🏻

[@Rob.Parsons]

Damn that would of been SO amazing to see it then. I’d legit live out there with Stan gurney just grinding it out for a few crumbs of Ozzie every day.

[@sandrabell6532]

❤your videos, not being from Tas (but living here now) enjoying the efforts you put in and learning about your beautiful island. Thankyou. Like your tunes too.

[@Rob.Parsons]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@grillo58]

Another great adventure. Amazing history in Tasmania.

[@Rob.Parsons]

Too true!

[@TheCollingsShowVlog]

Wow. Thanks for sharing this piece of Tassie history, not to mention the scenery. I've lived in Tasmania all my life, but the southwest has always seemed like some mystical land, like Middle Earth or Narnia.

[@Rob.Parsons]

My pleasure mate, Tassie certainly is just that!

[@paultognoni]

Love how your videos just pop up. Great to see this, but sad there's little left. You know it's amazing where others turn up, those metal heads would have no sense of what's around them in the bush, am glad you have the know how to find it. Would love to see more of what's left of our ghost towns. I'm awarding you 👻👻👻👻

[@rachkershaw9707]

another fantastic video Rob! I'm a new subscriber but am thoroughly enjoying catching up on all your videos, keep up the great work 👍

[@CharlieJuliet20]

Thanks for sharing this with us

[@sg7392]

A very interesting video. Thankyou so much for posting.

[@Rob.Parsons]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@waydojm5957]

So interesting thanks for the history and adventures! That camera zip line is super cool lol

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thanks lad my pleasure, yea she’s a good unit the Wiral. Keeps the birds safe, is legal in national parks and offers views the drone can’t. Cheers

[@rickymcgowan2243]

Thanks Rob, it was great to see where my dad used to go as a policeman visiting Stan Gurney when we lived at Westerway.

[@Rob.Parsons]

awesome!

[@bobclark4994]

Keep up the good work Rob, history, bushwalking and great videography. I cant understand why you don't have more subs!

[@Rob.Parsons]

one day bob! Thanks for the support!

[@izaqueduffy235]

thanks for making these mate and doing the hard yards!

[@Rob.Parsons]

My pleasure.

[@terry8728]

Sweet zipline shots! I come for the photography, wallow in the landscapes and drink in the history! Another great vid Rob. 👍

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thanks Terry!

[@aaronwells5080]

Great video Rob. I've been into the old townsite many times but your video shows more on the history of the place. Love the old photos you included and the zip line footage, very clever. Kudos on your choice of music too BTW :)

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thanks Aaron!

[@haroldludwick6423]

Another outstanding trip with great camera work 👍🥇

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thank you so much 😀

[@annagray4208]

Fantastic. We'll done& thank you

[@Rob.Parsons]

Many thanks!

[@FreewillUSA]

Love the video and story. Bonus, I always love a new song I hear on your videos. 😊

[@Rob.Parsons]

Cheers rodge

[@applescruffs2]

You are to be congratulated on all & every Video that you make Rob & I like thousands of others thankyou. You are indeed a natural. Whilst I am not a Tasmanian I am indeed a very proud Australian & have been fortunate enough to visit the state you call home on 6 occasions. My one & only complaint I have is who ever is responsible for the music choices needs to tone it down. You are taking your viewers to the Magnificent beauty & pristine areas which are peaceful & awe inspiring & I find that so often the music director almost destroys the serenetity of your Sensational videos. Cheers Rob & stay cool.

[@Rob.Parsons]

thanks greg, point taken!

[@benvalentine2534]

Great vid Rob.

[@janea3601]

Beautiful video. Love the sound track too

[@Rob.Parsons]

That's very nice of you Jane, a few people complained about the music so its nice to know others share my taste.

[@rayrobinson1725]

As usual excellent Ray Robinson.

[@MrWright864]

Great Clip Rob, love to see you find a Tassie tiger!

[@Rob.Parsons]

That would be amazing!

[@BruceschultzAU]

Another great video thanks Rob

[@eurekaelephant2714]

Loved this. Thanks.

[@willowtree5773]

Thankyou, new admirer , East Coast Tassie :)

[@borninthewrongera6888]

I am loving all your videos ! Well done

[@TheMatto128]

Hi Rob, my Partner and I are moving to Tasmania soon, and your videos have shown us that to experience all that Tasmania has to offer, we have to get hiking. Thanks for inspiring us and we look forward to see where you go next.

[@Rob.Parsons]

Glad to be of assistance mate welcome!

[@Handbagqueen23]

It’s amazing you can still see parts of the track on the way in

[@Rob.Parsons]

I know I was blown away, almost 100 years.

[@markpeters6358]

another great one Rob, camera skills are getting fantastic too. looks like you we're on the track the same time I was at Lake Rhona. Thanks for the inspiration to keep exploring.

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thanks mate!

[@chrisstaylor8377]

Great to see some young people out there doing it and having adventures

[@Teddysaw1988]

cracking stuff mate nice!!! epic journey

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thanks lad!

[@michellebeakley5032]

Awesome story and vision!

[@dougbrooks7476]

Thanks again for another historic tour

[@Rob.Parsons]

my pleasure Doug!

[@colinlong1669]

Great vid and music thanks Rob cheers mate

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thanks Colin!

[@justkerry173]

I will never understand why people go camping in the bush and take their noise with them. You can do that at home. This was lovely to watch, thanks for taking us along for the ride.

[@Rob.Parsons]

Yeah me neither and have some consideration for others I say

[@minimaleffortadventures1158]

Absolutely epic adventure Rob love your exploration skills and hunger to find the lost treasures of Tassie I'm stuck in isolation in WA trying to get back to work from the East coast and your videos are making the time locked up feel like a pleasure Thank you

[@Rob.Parsons]

hell yeah dude im stoked they can help you out! don't forget to share with ya mates! Thanks!

[@gippy6105]

Great video wish i had known the history when i worked down there in 1979 i loved the area but did not get to explore it now i am too old i would recommend any young person to take the time to explore this great country. I look forward to more of your videos you are a true explorer.

[@Rob.Parsons]

Appreciate it mate thanks!

[@aounlo5463]

Thank you for your hard work. Very appreciated.

[@Rob.Parsons]

😊

[@adrianthered9876]

Bro wow best video ever you have done to date I wanna see more like that bro bloody amazing job well done

[@Rob.Parsons]

Wow thanks mate that's really nice! Ill try my best!

[@lancewaddell-smith3170]

Very interesting. Two days ! Way too quick for me 🙂👍 . Hoping to have heard a few more mountain names . Top job .

[@Rob.Parsons]

hehe I run a tight schedule.

[@patrickbutler1715]

Great video mate ..I did a lot of bushwalking in Tassie in the '80s including a solo Overland Track trip which was awesome ....I think climbing the Acropolis on another trip would have been the highlight

[@Rob.Parsons]

That would of been epic

[@mattclarke1838]

Brilliant stuff, as always.

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@patrickeagle7540]

Really enjoy the video, very interesting and great tunes

[@Rob.Parsons]

Cheers Patrick

[@georgeredbranch652]

Another great adventure Rob.

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thank you George!

[@peterw2845]

Rob , I like the cut of your jib and the respect you have for the right things , you have a new sub , fascinating video , gonna watch more 👍

[@Rob.Parsons]

Peter I like your slang and I’m going to hijack it in the future. Good man, thanks!

[@Gersh_Binglander]

Very interesting Video. Also, congratulations on 6.66K subscribers.

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thanks man!

[@SteveMack]

@Rob.Parsons SHOCKING how nature so relatively quickly, can and does, take back what's abandoned. Good finds amongst it all! New subscriber from Qld here ;)

[@erroleabrown4317]

What a disappointment that the town wasn’t looked after honestly that is a piece of history we won’t get back, thanks for taking us alone, Tasmania is a lovely place, thanks for the video, beautiful camera work man really beautiful. Wtf did they burn it for Dum f#s

[@tazyt3388]

bloody ripper curly how goods the old corduroy track aye few and far between nowadays great edit mate well done cheers

[@Rob.Parsons]

Yeah I’m amazed at nearly 100 years old that any of it is left.. you don’t see that anywhere!

[@rodgeorge7244]

Awesome vid Rob I've done a bit of exploration of some of the old gold mining areas in Victoria and it is fascinating finding the odd relic and bits of remains of old towns you and Levi and Hugh should come over and do some of the National Trail it goes through some spectacular country in the Victorian High Country

[@Mark-rc4wz]

What kind of Fungi can Rob find in the Old Growth Forest of Tasmania? kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJzJm42Ynt16gtU