Saturday 7^th. Dec^r. 1811.
At 1/4 past 4 a.m. Cap^t. Antill set out with the first part of the Baggage; and at 20 minutes before 6 a.m. we followed; -- travelling for Ten miles through Epping Forest, which is all very poor bad soil, to the open Plains; which I have named Henrietta Plains; travelled for about two miles across these Plains to our Tent, which we reached at 10 a.m.; finding Breakfast ready prepared for us. ---These Plains are by far the richest and most beautiful we have yet seen in Van Diemen's Land; forming a grand, and interesting fine Landscape, and having a fine noble view of Ben-Lomond, the Butt, and a long lofty Range of smaller Mountains on the East and West of our Track, extending all the way to Port Dalrymple; the New River, or South Esk, meandering in a beautiful manner through the Plains, making the Landscape complete. ---The Soil and Herbage of Henrietta Plains far excel anything of the kind we have yet seen.---

The Port Dalrymple Party Breakfasted with us here; and the Men & Cattle being sufficiently refreshed, Cap^t. A. with the first part of the Baggage set out from Henrietta Plains at 1/4 past 1 p.m.---

At 3 p.m. we followed and pursued our Journey for three miles through Henrietta Plains to their northern termination in an open wood; travelled for 2 ^1/2 miles through this wood (which is generally good Soil with tolerable Pasturage) to the Ford on the South Esk, where this River was pretty deep; and up to the axle-Trees of our Carts; thence travelled for 2 ^1/2 miles through "Gordon Plains" ( -- now so named by me -- being formerly called the Long Plain) to Honey-Suckle-Bank, which terminates a fine Reach of the South Esk River, and on which Bank we halted and Encamped for the Night; dis^ce. from Macquarie Plains 20 miles.

6 December 1811 | 8 December 1811