Myths and Mysteries of the Crossing of the Blue Mountains

Case Study Overview

Myths and Mysteries of the Crossing of the Blue Mountains is a multimedia education resource to help middle secondary students explore an aspect of Australia’s early colonial history — the crossing of the Blue Mountains in 1813.

An interactive entitled, Would you be a Good Explorer, is also available for this case study.

Case Study unit of work inquiry structure (pdf)

  • Teacher’s Guide
  • Focus Question 1: What are the Blue Mountains?
  • Focus Question 2: How were the Blue Mountains formed?
  • Focus Question 3: Why did explorers want to cross the Blue Mountains?
  • Focus Question 4: Who actually crossed the Blue Mountains?
  • Focus Question 5: How did the explorers achieve their crossing in 1813?
  • Focus Question 6: What was their journey like?
  • Focus Question 7: Were Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth really the first to cross the Blue Mountains?
  • Focus Question 8: What impacts did the crossing have?
  • Focus Question 9: How is the crossing of the Blue Mountains represented in the National Museum of Australia?

About the Interactive

Would you be a Good Explorer
Your task is to prepare for an expedition across the Blue Mountains. You will then be faced with 11 different stages in which you need evaluate the best method to cross the mountains.

Note: This interactive can be viewed on iPads. It does not require Flash.

For Primary & Secondary Students

AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM:
HISTORY YEAR 4
• First contacts
HISTORY YEAR 5
• The Australian Colonies

HISTORY YEAR 9
• The Industrial Revolution
(1750–1914)
• Making a nation

Case Study Resources

  • Teacher Guide
  • Print Resources (PDF)
  • Interactive (iPad Compatible)
  • Downloadable High Quality Video
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