Breakfasted at 6 o'clock, and sent off our Baggage from Stone-Quarry Creek at 8, for Mr. Hassall's Farm called "Macquarie-Grove" on the East side of the River Nepean, where we next intend to Encamp; setting out ourselves immediately after sending off the Baggage, in order to explore the Country lying between the Stone Quarry-Creek more westerly than the route we came by, and extending to Mount Hunter Creek. On the Baggage going away I was concerned to observe that my poor Dog Oscar looked very ill and much reduced in Strength. -- I ordered him to be conveyed carefully in the Caravan. ---

After travelling over several beautiful Valleys and high Ridges alternately, we ascended at the Southern Extremity of Mount Taurus at 2 past 9 o'clock, and soon after reaching the Top of that mountain, we came up with and apprehended two men named Michael McGrath a Free-man, and Dennis Bryan a Convict, both residing on a Farm in the District of Appin through which we had passed a few days before. -- Each of these men had a Bag containing fresh Beef on his Back, and which they acknowledged was part of one of the Heifers belonging to the Wild Herds the Property of the Crown, and which Heifer they had killed early this morning, having come hither from their Farm for this purpose. -- I ordered them to be sent in the first instance to Mr. Hassall's Farm, in order to be sent from thence to the Gaol at Sydney and committed by Mr. Cox to take their Trial.

After taking a view of the Surrounding Country from the Top of Mount Taurus, we proceeded along the High Ridge that connects it with Mount Hunter, from the Top of which we had a very extensive view of the Country lying to the Northward and westward of us, including the Blue Mountains. -- Having rested ourselves and Horses for about Half an Hour on the Highest part of Mount Hunter, we commenced to descend the mountain at 2 o'clock on the North side of it, and reached the Plains below on that side in about a quarter of an Hour. From the foot of Mount Hunter we proceeded in a north westerly direction towards Mount Hunter Creek for about Seven Miles of beautiful open Forest rich ground, containing the richest Herbage and finest grazing I have yet seen in any part of the Colony, the whole being extremely well watered either by Ponds or the Creek, and the Country beautifully diversivied [sic] by gentle undulating Hill and Dale alternately. -- Having reached Mount Hunter-Creek, we proceeded in a Northern direction towards the River Nepean, travelling over some very pretty Hills and Vallies [sic] for about Five miles before we reached the River; this last Tract of Land being admirably well suited for Sheep Farms. -- The Land lying between Mount Hunter, the Creek, and the River, which I have this day travelled over being well calculated for that purpose, it is my intention to form an Establishment here for at least Three separate Herds of the Government Horned Cattle, at three distinct Stations. ---

We crossed the River Nepean at a Ford immediately below Mr. Hassall's Farm, and encamped there at 4 o'clock, having been 8 Hours on Horseback and rode about 30 miles. We found our Baggage had arrived about Half an Hour before us at "Macquarie-Grove", which is the name Mr. Hassall has been so good to give to this very finely situated and beautiful Farm. As soon as we had rested a little, I wrote a short Letter to Mrs. Macquarie before Dinner, giving her an account of our safe arrival here. -- We dined at 6 o'clock in a Room in Mr. Hassall's Farm-House. ---

6 October 1815 | 8 October 1815