Kelly Basin is a small coastal inlet located on the western coast of Tasmania, Australia. The basin lies within the boundaries of the Southwest National Park, near the abandoned settlement of Pillinger and the former terminus of the North Mount Lyell Railway.
Geography
- The inlet opens onto the Southern Ocean and is situated to the south‑east of the larger Macquarie Harbour.
- It is surrounded by rugged, forested terrain typical of the Tasmanian wilderness and is accessible primarily by foot or boat.
Historical significance
- In the early 20th century, Kelly Basin served as the maritime terminus for the North Mount Lyell Railway, which transported copper ore from the North Mount Lyell mine to the coast for export.
- The railway’s terminus was accompanied by the short‑lived settlement of Pillinger, established to support port facilities, warehouses, and worker housing.
- Following the decline of copper mining and the closure of the railway in the 1920s, Pillinger was abandoned and the area reverted to wilderness.
Current status
- Today, Kelly Basin is part of a protected wilderness area and is visited by hikers, boaters, and naturalists.
- The remains of the historic railway infrastructure and the ruins of Pillinger are occasionally examined by heritage researchers and are considered of archaeological interest.
Etymology
- The origin of the name “Kelly” is not definitively recorded; it is likely derived from an early European explorer, surveyor, or settler bearing the surname Kelly.
Conservation
- As a component of the Southwest National Park, Kelly Basin is subject to conservation management aimed at preserving its natural environment, cultural heritage, and biodiversity.
Note: While Kelly Basin is a recognized geographical feature with historical documentation, detailed archival records on certain aspects—such as the precise origin of its name—remain limited.
