Mount Jukes (Tasmania)
Mount Jukes is a prominent summit located within the Jukes Range, an offshoot of Tasmania's West Coast Range, situated in the island's western region. It attains an elevation of 1168 meters above sea level and is distinguished by several peaks as well as glacial lakes positioned on its upper eastern inclines. The mountain provides a vantage point over the town of Crotty and is positioned to the west of Lake Burbury.
The mountain received its name in 1862 from geologist Charles Gould, honoring Professor Joseph Jukes, an English geologist recognized for his support of Charles Darwin's coral reef hypotheses. Joseph Jukes visited Hobart during 1842–43 aboard the HMS Fly.
Mines
Numerous mining sites and small camps are established on Mount Jukes, particularly near the lakes and along its northern upper slopes adjacent to where Mount Jukes Road traverses the King River Gorge. These mining ventures contribute materials and energy resources to the neighboring regions.
Access and features
Constructed by Hydro Tasmania in the 1980s amid the development of Crotty Dam, the 22-kilometer Mount Jukes Road connects southern Queenstown with Darwin Dam. This roadway replaced the former North Mount Lyell Railway trackbed between Linda Valley and Crotty, which was submerged due to the formation of Lake Burbury.
On the mountain’s eastern flank lie two glacial lakes—Upper Lake Jukes and Lower Lake Jukes—that were sites of early 20th-century limited mining activities.
Surrounding summits include Mount Huxley to the north and Mount Darwin to the south.
Peaks and spurs
The mountain encompasses several designated peaks and ridges:
- Jukes Range—a ridge extending between Proprietary Peak (to the north) and South Jukes Peak
- Mount Jukes—1168 meters elevation
- Proprietary Peak—1104 meters, located northwest of Mount Jukes; notable for Crown Spur which is visible from Queenstown
- Pyramid Peak—1080 meters
- West Jukes Peak—1062 meters
- South Jukes Peak—1014 meters
- East Jukes Peak—731 meters; closest to King River Gorge and Crotty Dam, situated north of Mount Jukes Road
- Central Peak
Additional geographical features include Yellow Knob, Yellow Knob Spur, South Jukes Spur, Crown Spur, East Jukes Spur, Intercolonial Spur, Cliff Spur, and Newall Spur.