Stories Past

by Lindsay Braden - Researcher Anglesea & District Historical Society

Demons Bluff

recent enquiry alerted us to the fact that the vibrant name of Demon's Bluff is no longer a part of our local jargon. This was once used to identify the broad cliff headland area between Caravan Park Beach and Point Addis.

These majestic perpendicular cliffs rise to an immense height, and at both extremities gradually slope back to sea level. In many places the cliff face is hollowed out by the pounding ocean at high tide.

A 1914 Military Survey map marks this designation in an indifferent way, as if they knew it was somewhere in the area - but not sure where! Broadbent's post WW2 tourist map identifies this as immediately east of the Caravan Park beach, whilst a 1956 Military map clearly shows a Survey Marker on the beach side of Hurst's Scout Camp house to be at the centre of this oddity.

Sadly the latest Survey Corps map makes no mention at all of this forgotten description. How did this title arise? Was it named at the original appraisal and not gazetted, or perhaps nicknamed by the survivors from one of our two shipwrecks, after viewing the old Demon's head at Addis.

This startling landmark succumbed to time and tide during the 1930's. Possibly someone can help us with this vital information! If you can please email us.