Charlie Douglas in his bush camp above Franz Josef 1884.

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DescriptionFor 40 years Douglas explored and surveyed the West Coast Region of New Zealand. He was described as heavily bearded and with a slight frame, standing about 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) in height. He was accompanied throughout his years of exploration by a dog, first "Topsy", then "Betsey Jane" and others. During the colonial period of New Zealand, drowning in rivers was so commonplace before bridges had been built that it became known as the 'New Zealand death'. Douglas could not swim, and he once claimed that this fact "had saved his life many a time", implying that he would not enter rivers when it was risky.

When exploring Douglas carried little in the way of equipment beyond some basic provisions, including tobacco for his beloved pipe, and a swag. He camped beneath his two piece "batwing" tent of canvas or calico or crude rock shelters. He supplemented his food stocks by hunting native birds and living off the land. Although Douglas lived simply he supported himself by occasional paid work, supplemented by some infrequent provisions sent by his family in Scotland, who also supplied him with some of the books that he read avidly. He worked for a part-time wage from the survey department for 20 years before becoming a full-time employee from 1889.[4][5]

Douglas was a quiet, shy man, who was noted for his keen, accurate and entertaining observations relating to flora, fauna (particularly birds) and geology in his journals, sketches, watercolours and survey reports. Later in his life he grew increasingly intolerant of tourists who were unwilling or unable to endure the hardships he experienced. Douglas condemned the changes to the natural landscape he saw occurring in Westland and he became increasingly embittered as old age and illness began to curtail his later explorations. When he was not exploring he was known to be a heavy drinker.Date of Photo1884Map^[1]External LinkWIKIPEDIAContributorZody Ensor

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Location (city or town)Franz JosefPersonCharlie DouglasEventCharlie Douglas in his bush camp above Franz Josef 1884.

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Zody Ensor Yes he spent a lot of time in the Copland I think he is credited with finding the pass there over to hooker glacier. I went over it in 2006 from east to west down the Copland last Douglas rock hut which is where he had a camp down to welcome flat then out to the coast. Epic scenery.

Ray Douglas My late friend
nd writer Les Wright wrote a book about this man..He was special.

Glenn Johnston I think the Douglas rock bivvy in the Copland was lost to a slip or avalanche??? Earlier this month I was in the Douglas Valley a tributary of the Karangarua River and checked out an old rock bivvy near Horace Walker Stream. It still had an old tin billy and some wire in it. I wonder if that one was ever used by Charlie Douglas?

John Kerr
That must have been slightly uncomfortable in the pouring rain. One tough bloke!

Cheryl Johnston
John Kerr imagine the sandflies as well

David Verrall
Mr Explorer Douglas is buried in the Hokitika Cemetery. Heritage Hokitika tend his grave,

Dennis Gibbs
Imagine the person who lugged one of those old fashioned cameras up to that site.

Niaouli Wolf
There is a book about him. “Explorer Douglas. Not sure of the author I will check.

Debbie Bell
Niaouli Wolf awesome book.

Warner Nut Curry
Bless Mr Charles Douglas,

Jakh Heremia
Worked as a deckhand on the Explorer Douglas - 33 metre steel Stern Trawler - Greymouth 1981 - 1982

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Charlie Douglas in his bush camp above Franz Josef 1884.

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