EVANS'S FIRST JOURNAL: JOURNEY TO THE BATHURST PLAINS
Wednesday, 22nd.
Travelled over the hills on the South side of the Plains; from them I had a grand prospect North and South; nothing can exceed the fine appearance of this Country; the hill quite Green with grass, and the Plains also, intermixed with variety of Flowers and herbs, with flocks of Emu's feeding on them; I stopped at the East end for the Night.
Thursday, 23rd.
About 9 o'clock crossed Campbell's River; the Water has fallen so much that it was fordable in many places, which saved us a Journey of 6 Miles round to our Bridge; Macquaries River is likewise fordable between the large sheets of Water; these rivers resemble the Esks in Van Diemans Land, being fine streams running over hard gravel Bottoms, I kept some distance back from the River and find the Country as usual, fine pasture and distant hill North and South are Forest lands thinly wooded; we stopped at the West end of O'Connell Plains.
Friday, 24th.
Nothing particular has attracted my attention, the Country is as before stated; halted where we stopped the Evening of the 2nd Inst.
Saturday, 25th.
Being Christmas day we remained for a day's rest; yet we walked about as much as a day's journey looking around us, and ascending Hills to see the Country, which is excellent pasture, the soil is light, but exceeds the Forest Lands in general on the East side of the Mountains. The day is so hott the Fish will not bite; it is the only time they have missed; therefore I opened my tin case of Roasted Beef.
Sunday, 26th.
Proceeded on; the hills are rather steeper, crossed the River ready to leave it in the Morning, and ascend the range by an easy ascent that I took notice of coming along; the Country as usual very good. Shot a large Kangaroo.
Monday. 27th.
We got upon the range by an easy track, as it was exceeding warm I halted in a fine Valley.
Tuesday, 28th.
I stopped near the riverlett about a Mile East of Mount Blaxland, and find the stream not near so rapid as when we left it; I am of opinion that it falls into the Nepean by the run North of the Western River, and that the Source of the Western River springs from the Mountains S.W. of Natai, as far as I am a judge of appearances of Country's I conceive it to be so; I observe on coming from the hills a range that will lead round to the hill where the Trees are marked down to the Fish River, the foot of which forms the valley nearest the Mount. I pointed it out to one of the Men named Richard Lewis. The Lands about here are pleasant and good sheep pasture; but it is by no means to be compared to the Country Westward.
Wednesday. 29th.
Proceeded to the foot of the Mountains, this part, altho' there is tolerable good feed and appeared fine on my first coming from them, looks miserable to me now after returning from so superior and good a Country, I went to the Cliffs where I stowed away the provisions and found all safe. The Natives seem to be numerous; there are fires in many parts not far from us.
Thursday, 30th.
We remained to prepare to ascend the Mountains early in the Morning, by hunting Kangaroo for their skins to secure our feet: Killed a very large one which will furnish us with pampoosers; hoping with what we have will enable us to reach home in safety.
Friday, 31st
At 2 Miles we ascended the Mountains, our track to the passage up was along a Valley of good grass from about 2 to 4 Chains wide. The Atmosphere being thick leaves it out of my power to make any observation on the prospect from them; they are covered with a scrub, the Timber in general is good, chiefly consists of Stringy Bark Trees; I halted at the head of a Valley where there is good water a little way down it, plenty of sweet rushes and some Grass.
Distance from the Riverlett, 7¼ Miles.
Saturday, Jany. 1st, 1814.
The Bush is exceeding thick, and bad travelling on account of the sharp Rocks; the Ravines on my Right are deep. It is hazy weather which prevents me seeing any distant objects; Halted in a Valley, found good Water by making holes among the Rushes.
distance, 5¾ Miles.
Sunday, 2nd.
At a quarter of a Mile is a Tract of Forest Land underneath this Ridge, the centre is a marsh, I judge leads to the Riverlett which appearantly runs between some high Hills about a Mile West; beyond are Mountains considerably higher than what I am now on; The road is through thick brushes and over pieces of sharp Granite Rocks. Halted in a Valley of good feed and Water.
distance, 6 Miles.
