(Footnote.  The next headland to Wilson’s Promontory, from the extreme of which it bears North-West by West, twenty-four miles; the shore between recedes, forming a bay nine miles deep.  The Cape lies in latitude 38 degrees 55 minutes South, longitude 5 degrees 17 minutes West of Sydney, 145 degrees 57 minutes East, and is the extreme of a tableland three hundred and fifty feet high.  A small islet lies close to the shore, about two miles northward from the extreme, where there is a boat cove.  Where the rocky coast ceases to the eastward, the shore falls back, affording shelter for vessels in north-west winds; a rock lies off the southern point of this anchorage.)

CORIO HARBOUR.

Having made these arrangements, we left for Port Phillip, where, after landing another party at Shortland’s Bluff, also to make tidal observations, we pursued our course round Indented Head towards Corio Harbour, anchoring off Point Henry—­where no less than four vessels were lading with wool for England—­early on the morning of the 27th.  We devoted the remainder of this day and the next to making a plan of the harbour; and from the result of our survey I feel more than ever convinced that the bar (through the northern part of which a channel winds for vessels of eight feet at low-water) might be removed, and the entrance rendered fit for vessels of any draught.  There is deep water in the south-western part, close to the northern side of Geelong, where, by erecting wharfs, large ships might discharge alongside, an advantage which can never be obtained at Melbourne,* and of so great importance that I am induced to believe Geelong will ultimately be the capital of Australia Felix.  In this event communication will be held with Melbourne by railroad, for which the country intervening is admirably adapted, being a complete level the entire way.  At present a steamer plies daily between the two places; and when we consider that on our last visit, only two years before, Geelong consisted of a few sheds at its north end only, and now stretched across from Corio Harbour to the River Barwon, a space of more than a mile, the belief seems warranted that at no distant period the line of rail I allude to must be laid down.  The township is now divided into North and South Geelong; the latter lies on a slope, reaching the river’s edge.

(Footnote.  Corio Harbour is in fact the best anchorage in Port Phillip, that at Hobson’s Bay being very confined, and scarcely affording any shelter from southerly winds for large ships.  Moreover, Corio Harbour lies more convenient for the western districts, there being no other place where the sheep-farmers of those parts can, with safety, ship their wool, except Portland Bay.)

CAPTAIN FYANS.

Located in a snug house, with a garden teeming with flowers, that reminded one of home, and overlooking a still reach of the Barwon, I found Captain Fyans, of whom I have before spoken.