black and white photograph, late 19th - early 20th century

Historical information

In the late 19th century in the Orbost area roads were just bush tracks which generally were unsuitable for any type of vehicular traffic so were traversed mainly by horseback.
As the settlement grew, a weekly mail service from Cunninghame (Lakes Entrance) was estab-lished. The settlers had to carry the mail for three months and each took a turn as mailman during that time. The first coach was driven by Mr Alex Hall. Eventually a daily mail service was set up and many drivers included B. Sutherland, W.
Middleton, Jonson Bros., J. Mitchell, F. Newport, J. Geddes, A. Coulson, Bert Cessor, H. Weekes and A. Barthile. (info. from Newletter August 2007)
This photograph is one of A. Coulson’s Coach crossing the Sand Bar at Lake Tyers.

Significance

This is a pictorial record of very early transport in East Gippsland.

Physical description

A very faded small postcard / photograph of a horse and cart crossing a beach.

Inscriptions & markings

on front in black writing - " Crossing at Lake Tyers"
on back - "A Coulson"

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