In three days, with great difficulty, they passed the swamps and marshes which lie near the harbour.  Nothing can more fully point out the great improvement which may be made by the industry of a civilized people in this country, than the circumstances of the small streams which descend into Port Jackson.  They all proceed from swamps produced by the stagnation of the water after rising from the springs.  When the obstacles which impede their course can be removed, and free channels opened through which they may flow, the adjacent ground will gradually be drained, and the streams themselves will become more useful; at the same time habitable and salubrious situations will be gained in places where at present perpetual damps prevail, and the air itself appears to stagnate.

On leaving these low grounds, they found them succeeded by a rocky and barren country.  The hills were covered with flowering shrubs, but by means of various obstacles the ascending and descending was difficult, and in many parts impracticable.  At the distance of about fifteen miles from the sea coast Governor Phillip obtained a very fine view of the inland country and its mountains, to several of which he now gave names.  The most northern of them he named Carmarthen Hills, the most southern Lansdown Hills; one which lay between these was called Richmond Hill.  From the manner in which these mountains appeared to rise, it was thought almost certain that a large river must descend from among them.  But it was now necessary to return, without making any further examination.

22 April 1788

On the 22d another excursion of the same kind was undertaken:  Governor Phillip landed with his party near the head of the harbour.  Here they found a good country, but in a short time arrived at a very close cover; and after passing the chief part of the day in fruitless attempts to make their way through it, were obliged to relinquish the attempt, and return.  The next day, by keeping close to the banks of a small creek for about four miles, they contrived to pass the cover, and for the three succeeding days continued their course to the west-ward.  The country through which they travelled was singularly fine, level, or rising in small hills of a very pleasing and picturesque appearance.  The soil excellent, except in a few small spots where it was stony.  The trees growing at the distance of from twenty to forty feet from each other, and in general entirely free from underwood, which was confined to the stony and barren spots.  On the fifth day they ascended a small eminence, whence, for the first time in this second expedition, they saw Carmarthen and Lansdown Hills.  The country round this hill was so beautiful, that Governor Phillip gave it the name of Belle-vue.  They were still apparently thirty miles from the mountains which it had been their object to reach, and not having found it practicable, with the tents, arms, and other necessaries, to carry more than six days provisions,