John Oxley (1784-1828), European explorer and surveyor

John Joseph William Molesworth Oxley, the eldest son of John and Isabella Oxley, was born at Kirkham Abbey, Yorkshire, England.

In 1799, he joined the navy and in 1801 he sailed to Australia as master's mate. The following year, he did 'coastal survey work'. He returned to England in 1807, but was once again in Australia in November 1808. He retired from the Army in 1811 to take up the position of surveyor-generalship. In 1823 he sailed north and on his return from Port Curtis, he explored Moreton Bay and the Brisbane River. On the 2nd December he travelled as far as Goodna.

On Tuesday, the 21st September 1824, John Oxley (Surveyor General of NSW) and Allan Cunningham (the King's Botanist) explored what was to become known as Pine Mountain.