The Cookbundoon Range may be considered as the barrier between the Eastern & Western Country -- and also the Key to the latter as well as to the Southern Country. ---The distance across this Range from the foot of the East to the foot of the West side is about a mile. At a qr. past 9 a.m. we pursued our Journey through open Forest Land for two miles. ---Arrive then at a very bad Swamp or Bog, which took us some time to pass, and on crossing it we entered a Brush, or Close Forest at 1/2 past 10 o'clock. ---This Brush continued for about 7 miles, and is full of Bogs or Swamps -- which occasioned us a great deal of trouble and labour to cross and get the Carts through. My own Carriage Horses got once into one of these Bogs or Sloughs -- and were only got out of it by being unharnessed. ---At 45 mins. past 1, reached the left Bank of the principal Branch of the Wallandilly River -- where the Country opens into fine Forest Land. ---At 2 p.m. we crossed this River to the Right Bank by a very good Ford. ---From thence we Travelled through a closer Forest Country, along the Bank of the River till it takes a sudden Bend to the Westward, and where a small Rivulet from the South East joins it; forming at this point of junction a most extensive beautiful Reach or Bason.[sic] ---The Country here opens again, into very extensive Plains or Downs to the Westward, forming with the River a very rich Landscape, Plains, and occasional pretty little Hills interspersed in them, extending for 7 or 8 miles to the Westward. The Native name of these Plains is Mulwarry -- but which I have named "Breadalbane Plains." ---From the junction of the two Rivers we continue our Journey in a South Easterly Direction -- till we reach the North West Boundary of "Goulburn Plains", -- so named by Mr. Meehan the first discoverer, but which in fact is a continuation of the Great Mulwary-Plains. Here we halted at 1/4 before 4 p.m. and Pitched our Camp in a noble extensive rich Meadow near a fine large Pond of Fresh Water; the Cattle being up to their Bellies in as fine long sweet Grass as I ever saw any where. ---The distance from where we last crossed the Wallandilly River is about 4 miles to our present Camp; making this day's Journey at least 16 miles, and by far the most disagreeable stage we have yet come; but the grandeur, beauty, and richness, independent of the usefulness of the Country we are now in, sufficiently compensates for all the labour and Toils of this days Journey.---

We had not been above an Hour on our new Ground, before 3 of my Horses, Major Antill's, Lt. Macquarie's, Mr. Cartwright's, and 4 or 5 other Horses, quitted their Pasture and went off at full speed on the Road we had come by, without being disturbed -- or any apparent cause. ---Joseph and Denning mounted other Horses and set out immediately after them; but after 3 Hours pursuit they were only able to overtake a few of them with which they returned -- the Night being too dark then to pursue the fugitives any farther; -- the five first mentioned Horses and several others being still missing.---

We did not sit down to Dinner till 2 past 6 o'clock -- and very soon afterwards it came on, very unfortunately, heavy Rain. ---We retired to rest soon after 9 o'clock, it still continuing to rain heavy.

21 October 1820 | 23 October 1820