Journals of Two Expeditions into the Interior of New South Wales

In this vivid early‑19th‑century travelogue, a senior surveyor recounts two government‑ordered journeys into the largely uncharted heart of New South Wales. He describes the sheer scale of the Macquarie River, the rolling plains that flood in season, and the distant ranges that outline a landscape both open and challenging. The narrative captures the optimism of the era, as officials hoped the river might reveal a hidden waterway to the sea, and it details the meticulous surveying work that mapped the interior for the first time.

Beyond the geography, the journal offers keen observations of the few Indigenous families encountered, noting striking similarities in their tools, diet, and customs to coastal groups. The author also records the region’s flora and fauna—eucalyptus, casuarina, kangaroos, and emus—painting a picture of a land that is both harsh and richly alive. Listeners will be transported to a pivotal moment when Australia’s interior was first being measured and understood.