Got up early -- Breakfasted at 9 -- and at 10 o'clock we all mounted our Horses --Mrs. M. being one of the Party -- and set out on an Excursion to see and explore those parts of Bathurst and Macquarie Plains on the North side of the River. We crossed the Macquarie River close under the Dept by a very easy fine Ford of a hard Pebly [sic] bottom -- there being very little water in the River at present owing to the long continued Droughts. We rode through a very rich low Tract of Land along the Right Bank of the River with fine Grass growing on it, between 3 and 4 feet high, for about 6 miles; then came to a chain or Ridge of Fertile wooded Hills, running in a northern direction from the Confluence of the Fish and the Campbell Rivers, and which chain of Hills divide Bathurst from Macquarie Plains. -- On crossing these hills we had a very extensive fine view of the latter extending along the Fish River for about Five Miles on each side of it. -- This is a most beautiful rich Tract of Land and very Picturesque, the Grounds being much diversified in extensive Plains, and Hills and Dales alternately, terminating on the north in lofty wooded mountains; near to which there are fine Downs very fit for Sheep Walks. We hunted two Native Dogs, and some Emus in Macquarie Plains, but were not so fortunate as to catch any of them, tho' we saw them very distinctly, and were much gratified with the sight of them. ---

In returning Home we kept nearer the mountains in order to see more of the Country, and were well satisfied that the greater parts of both Bathurst and Macquarie Plains are perfectly fit for the purposes of Agriculture as well as grazing .---

We returned to Head Quarters at 2 p.m. after a ride of about 16 miles, highly gratified with our day's Excursion. -- On our return to Head Quarters, I found our other two Tents Pitched in regular order, and a Flagg (sic) Staff erected in front of our Sleeping Tent, which I had given orders to be done previous to our setting out this morning, intending to hoist the British Colours on it on Sunday next, when it is my intention to give a name to this particular spot.

I forgot to mention in my Notes of yesterday that a very fine large Black Swan, and also a very large Water-Mole (or Duck-Bill) had been shot on the Macquarie River, near Head Quarters, on the afternoon of our arrival here, which appear as a good omen of the future prosperity and plenty of this new Country. The Swan weighed [text missing] Pounds and was a remarkable large one.

4 May 1815 | 6 May 1815