From Cape Preston the coast assumes a very different character from that to the eastward, being less sinuous, very low, and either fronted by mangroves, or by a range of sandhills, both of which conceal the interior.  The coast, at from three to seven miles, is fronted by a range of low, sandy islets, from one quarter to two-thirds of a mile in diameter:  there are, however, two or three near Cape Preston of larger size, particularly one bearing South 66 degrees West, fifteen miles from the extremity of the cape, of rocky character, but very level, and apparently sterile; it is nearly circular, and about two miles in diameter.  It is visible for about five leagues.

Thirty miles South-West by South from Cape Preston is a mangrove bight, with several openings communicating with a large lagoon, or body of water, at the base of a small range of hills.  The bight is shoal and thickly studded with sandy islets.  Hence the coast extends to the South-West by West, fronted by mangroves for about forty miles, and then for about sixteen miles South-West to the entrance of Curlew River.

Between Curlew River and Cape Preston, a space of eighty-five miles, there are not less than thirty sandy islets in sight from the coast, separated from each other by channels, generally navigable, between one to five miles wide.  Good anchorage may be found among these islands, for the sea cannot fail of being smooth in the strongest winds.  The depth among these islands is from four to six fathoms, and the bottom generally of gravel or sand.

CURLEW RIVER is defended by a shoal entrance, and is merely a creek running through a low country for three miles; its banks are overrun with mangroves, and it affords no inducement whatever for vessels to visit it.  The country behind is low, and, at spring tides, or during the rainy season, is inundated.

The coast continues low and sandy to CAPE LOCKER, a distance of thirteen miles, and with the same barren character for twenty miles further, forming the east side of Exmouth Gulf.  ROSILY, and THEVENARD ISLES are low and sandy; they were seen by us at a considerable distance.

BARROW’S ISLAND, of about forty miles in circumference, is of moderate height and level aspect, but of very sterile and barren appearance.  A considerable reef extends towards the main from its south-east side, where there is also a small islet:  on the north-east side are three islets; the two outermost of which are low and rocky.  The west coast of Barrow’s Island was seen by the French, who thought it was part of the main; they named its north-west end, CAPE DUPUY, and its south end, CAPE POIVRE.  At ten miles South 25 degrees West from the last cape, the French charts have assigned a position to a reef:  and four miles North 10 degrees East from Cape Dupuy is another.  Neither were noticed by us, since we did not approach this part sufficiently near to see them if they do exist; of which, from the account of the French, there can be but little doubt.