 Europeans first explored Cradle Mountain in 1827 and 1828 with Joseph Fossey and Henry Hellyer surveying for the Van Diemen's Land Company.Lake St Clair was sighted by surveyor William Sharland in 1832, with George Frankland leading an expedition to it three years later.During the late 19th century there was an effort to build a railway to the west coast of Tasmania, which at the time was only accessible by boat.