Volume 01: Production and resources of the northern and western districts of New South Wales, 1854 [ca. 1850-1857] - Page 475

THE VICTORIA RIVER IN THE NORTH WEST.

"I saw open downs and plains with a line of river in the midst, the whole extending to the N.N. West as far as the horison. [horizon]. Following down the little stream from the valley in which I had passed the night, I soon reached the open country, and during ten successive days, I pursued the course of that river, through the same sort of Country, each day as far as my horse Could Carry me, and in the same direction, again approaching the Tropic of Capricorn.
In some parts the river formed splendid reaches,
as broad and important as the River Murray, in others it spread into four or five Channels, some of them several miles apart: but the whole country is better watered than any other portion of Australia I have seen, by numerous tributaries
arising in the downs. The soil consists of rich clay, and the hollows gave birth to water Courses in most of which water was abundant. I found at length, that I might travel in any direction and find
water at hand, without having to seek the river, except when I wished to ascertain its general course & observe its character - The grass Consists of Panicum and several new sorts, one of which springs green from the old stem - The plains were verdant, indeed, the luxuriant pasturage surpasses in quality, as it did in extent, any thing of the Kind I had ever seen - The Myall
tree and Salt Bush {acacia Pendula & salsoloe}, [?] so essential to a good run, are also there, New Birds and new plants marked this out as an essentially different region from any that I had previously explored, and although I could not follow the river throughout its long course at that
advanced season, I was Convinced that its estuary was in the Gulf of Carpentaria; at all events the Country is open & well watered for a direct route thereto - That the river is the most important of Australia, increasing as it does, by successive tributaries, and not a mere product of distant ranges, admits of not dispute and the downs and plains of Central Australia, through which it flows, seem sufficient to supply the whole world with animal food. The natives are few and inoffensive; I happened to surprise one tribe at a lagoon, who did not seem to be aware that such strangers were in that country; our number being so small they seemed inclined to follow us, I crossed the river at the lowest point I reached. in a great southern land, in longitude 144º34'E. latitude 24º14' South."

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Volume 01: Production and resources of the northern and western districts of New South Wales, 1854 [ca. 1850-1857] - Page 475

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Volume 01: Production and resources of the northern and western districts of New South Wales, 1854 [ca. 1850-1857] - Page 475

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