Concise Account Western Port

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser

5 August 1826

Sir,

Should you deem the following concise account of Western Port, worthy a corner in your interesting paper, you will, by giving the same insertion, very much oblige, one of Australia's wellwishers.

On looking over your paper, of the 10th ult., I was pleased to see a very correct account, given by Captain Smith, of Western Port, Bass's Straits; I myself have been there, and I have every reason to believe, that if Western Port, and the fine tract of country adjoining, was fully explored, it would be found to possess many advantages for a good and extensive settlement.

The downs, adjoining the Tweed (Western Port River), are very extensive; perhaps upwards of 70 miles in length, in a N E. and S.W. direction; they are in general well watered, and a good soil, covered with a fine sward of grass and herbage, and are particularly well adapted for the depasturing of sheep.

The country to the N.N.W. of the downs appears to be moderately level and easy of access, and I have been informed by Messrs. Hovell and Hume, that, in their opinion, it is possible a good line of road can be made, or marked out, from Argyleshire to Bass's Straits; and persons going to settle at Western Port, or the adjoining country, might, without difficulty or expense, take their stock, &c. down by land, as the country, the whole of the way, affords good pasturage.

The chief obstacle would be in crossing the several rivers, without the assistance of a boat, as they are not fordable.

The Snowy or White Mountains can be avoided, by keeping a westerly direction for 80 or 100 miles, after crossing the second river from the Murrumbidgee, which is 40 or 50 miles to the westward of that river. July 20th, 1826