Recherche Bay

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Recherche Bay is located in southern Tasmania, Australia and was a landing place of the d’Entrecasteaux expedition to find missing explorer La Pérouse. They setup a temporary village, market garden and scientific observatory at Recherche Bay in April 1792 for 26 days, and again in January 1793 for 24 days.^[1] Both landings were made to seek refuge and replenish supplies although as much time as possible was dedicated to scientific research. The botanists Jacques Labillardière, Claude Riche and Étienne Pierre Ventenat collected and catalogued almost 5000 specimens including the blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) which later became Tasmania's floral emblem. The expedition also made friendly contact with the Tasmanian Aboriginal people here in 1793.

The scientific observatory at Recherche Bay was the site of the first deliberate scientific experiment on Australian soil. At this observatory, geoscientist Elisabeth P.E. de Rosse conducted a series of measurements that proved geomagnetism varied with latitude.^[2]

In 2003, the private landowners of the site sought permission to selectively log the area resulting in a large-scale campaign to protect the site from destruction.

In January 2006, the Tasmanian Land Conservancy announced plans to raise a minimum of $1.3 million to purchase the site from its private owners.^[3] High profile businessman Dick Smith has pledged AU$100,000 to the cause.^[4]