Black Mountain - VIC

History of Black Mountain:

David O'Rourke came across from Monaro with his brother Christopher in 1843, bringing 70 horses and two sires to Black Mountain. The latter were a black stallion called Peacock, and Gander, a Grey. They were of the Steeltrap breed, and were turned on to portion of the Black Mountain afterwards known as Turnback, where the bridge across the Snowy River was recently built. These were the first horses brought into this portion of Gippsland and from them originated the Brumbies which became so numerous in later years

Black Mountain run owned by the O'Rourke brothers was a big tract of country stretching from the head of the Murray to the Snowy River at Willis on the NSW border. This area and surrounding districts became the home of a community of wonderful bushmen and wonderful horsemen and horses. Every man’s living depended on his ability to ride and track and steer a pathway by the sun and stars. The early pioneers found North Gippsland was full of wild horses right up to Kosciusko and all through the Black Mountain country until the O'Rourkes eventually decided to muster them to make something of them.

Cristy O'Rourke (sometimes also referred to as Christie - his full name was Christopher) lived for the rest of his life at Black Mountain. Christie ORourke's Hut is located north of this location along the Ingeegoodbee Track.