ATLAS OF AUSTRALIA—1SS6.
WiLinn'a Protitojiiun/—Situated in latitude 39° 8 ' ; it is the mosi
southern point, uot only in Victoria, but in Austmlia. It is at tht
extrGniity of a lai^e peniuauJa, formetl by Corner Inlet anri
Waratah Bay.
3 headland, a sliort
Cape Liptrnp—Tbe extreiuitj- of a mouni
distance south-west from Waratah Bay
Cape Paierson~A little to the west of Venus Bay.
Cape TFooiamai—The most southern point of Phillip Island.
Point (?rnn<—The moat western point of Phillip Island; it lies on the
eastoru side of the entrance to Western Port.
West Bead—On the west side of the entrance to Western Port.
Cape La-titude 38" 80' and longitude 144® 55', a short
distance west from Western Port.
Point A'fpenn—On the eastern side of the entrance to Port Phillip.
Point Lovsdah—On the western side of the entrance to Port Phillip.
Point Flinders—On the south-west side of the Barwon Heads.
Point jlrfiiio—South-west from the Barwon Heads.
Gape Paifoii—South-west of Addis Bay.
Point South of Apollo Bay.
Point Frnnklin—tHear the entrance of the P a r k e r Eivor.
Gape Olway—A hold rocky projection. It forms the most southern
pomt of the part of the coast west from Cape Liptrap,
Moonlight Bead—North-west from Cape Otway.
Paint Danger—On the south side of Portland Bay.
Cape Sir William Grant—A short distance south-west fi-om Point
5t side of Nelson Bay.
est side of the entrance to Bridgt
Danger.
Cape iVfl/soit—On the south-'
Cape Bridgeicater—On the
water Bay.
Indenfallons,—The principal inlets are :—
Purl Albert—Seal the entrance to the Albert River.
Corner Inlet—A. broad expanse of water, shallow in many parts, but
intersected with channels; it lies some distance north from
Wilson's Promontory.
Waterloo Bay—^Near Wilson's Promontory.
Waratah Bay—North-east from Cape Liptvap.
Fcniii Bay—A short distance east from Cape Paterson.
Western Fort—A large expanse of water, shallow in many parts. At
its mouth lies Phillip Island, and within it are French Island
and numerous islete.
Port PAi'iZip—A very large indentation with a length of over 40 miles.
I t is of unequal depth, and possesses numerous shoals. Its
discovery by Lieutenant John Murray was made in 1802.
Hohson'a Bay—Aii inlet on the northern side of Port Phillip. It
receives the waters of the Yarra Tari-a River, on which Melbourne
is built.
Corio Bay—This forms the western portion
important town of Geelong lines part of
pf Port Phillip,
e shore.
Apollo Bay—North-east from Cape Otway.
Warrnamhool Bay—A short distance west from
Hopkins River.
Belfast Ilnrhour—Near the mouth of the Moyne E
Portland North from Point Danger.
NeUon B..;/—Between Capes Nelson and Sir Willis
Bridgeicater S<iy—West from Cape Nelson.
Diacovery Bay—A li
The
ing north-west from
Cape Bridgewater.
Lagoons and Tidal Lakes.—On the coast of Victoria, as in other
parts of the seaboard of Australia, occur bodies of water which vary
in size from a few acres in extent to several square miles. These,
known popularly as lakes, are well represented on the south-east
coast. They receive the waters of numerous streams, which frequently
drain a cousiderable extent of the surrounding country. Narrowshallow
openings connect them with the ocean, and afford outlets for
the waters which a«cnmulate. These entrances not infrequently
become silted np nnder the action of the waves and currents.
Picturesque and beautiful in many parts, and abounding in fish,
they are t h e favourite resort of sportsmen and tourists.
The following are the more im|jortaut:—
Mallaceota Lakt—A short distance south-west from Cape Howe. The
Genoa Kiver, which has its source in New South Wales, empties
itself into this expanse.
Taviho'm Inlet and Lahc Furnell—A short distance west from Ci
Evei
1 Midway between Capes Everard and Conrar
receives the waters of the Bemm Riv.
Lake Corringle—Nea.T the month of the Snowy Rivt
from which adds to its volume.
Lake Tyeri—East of the 148th meridian, it receive:
Boggy Creek.
(^ppaland Lalccs—Tlve group known under this name is perhaps t h e
best known in Victoria, It includes Lakes Wellington, Victoria,
King, Bunga, and Reeve. Lake Wellington is a very fine
expanse of water, about 12 miles long by 10 uide, and receives
the waters of the La Trobe, Avon, and Perry Rivers. A narrow
channel, known as Maclennan's Sti'uits, connects it with Lake
Victoria. Lake Victoria has a length of about 22 miles, and
varies in width from 3 to 4 miles. Lake King is regarded as one
of the most beautiful of tlie Gippslsnd series. Around its
extensive margin there is much to charm the tourist. It receives
the waters of the Mitchell and Tnmbo Rivers. Lake Reeve is a
long narrow strip of water lying parallel and close to the
seaboard.
Lake Denisun—^North-east from Port Albert.
Anderso,i'a Jn/e<-Near Venus Bay. It receives the waters of the
Tarwin River and several small streams.
Lake Gcmnewarre—A short distance west from Point Lonsdale. The
Barwon River empties its waters into this lake.
Islands.—In the part of Bass Strait around Wilson's Promontory,
and on the margins of Comer Inlet and Western Port, are found
numerous islands; those on the remaining portion of the coast line
are few, and of little importance. The islets scattered over the
face of Bass Strait are regarded by some as evidence of the existence
in the past of a connection bet^veen Tasmania and the makJand.
There is no doubt much in favour of such a supposition.
The following are the principal islands:—
Gaho Island—A short distance south-west from Cape Howe.
Sunday and Snake Maiul^Nea,!- the enti'ance to Corner Inlet. They
are low, and, in some places, swampy in character,
i t various points in the neighbourhood of Wilson's Promontory
found Rabbit Island, Seal Island, Notch Island, Rag Island,
Cliffy Island, Podondo Island, Wattle Island, Ansor Island and Oroup,
Glennie Group, Norman Island, and Shellback Island.
Phillip and FS-cnch Islands—The former at the entrance of, and the
latter within, Westei'n Port.
Swan Island—Withm Port Phillip Bay, near the entrance.
Mud Island—In Port Phillip Bay, about 5 miles from the Heads.
GriJiUis is?nn^Sout h from Belfast Harbour.
Lady Julia Percy and Lawrence Islands—At the entrance to Portland
Bay.
PHYSICAL FEATURES—A considerable amount of diversity is found
to obtain in the physical conformation of the surface of Victoria.
The low-lying level lands gradually merge into undulating country,
with slopes of increasing height; the undulations are found to develop,
I in other parts, into well-defined ranges of moderate elevation, while
Ln one section of the colony, mountain chains, mth rugged and
j precipitous peaks, the summits of which reach beyond the snow-line of
I winter, present to the observer much of the solemn sublimity met
I with in the great Cordilleras of the Old World. Near the coast there
' is a large amount of variety in its whole extent, though vast areas a r e
seen in which there is much sameness. Between the mountains and
the seaboard in some parts, the ¡and is level, stretching out into vast
flats, which frequently form marshes or swamps. Examples of these
flat lands, little above the level of the sea, a re seen in Gippsland,
around the lakes, and for a considerable distance on the margin of
the Ninety-mile Beach. They are also obsei-vable on the shnr^s
of Port Phillip, and generally throughout the south-westc
of the colony. Hero the numerous swamps and marshes
Q portion
illustrative of this featui-e. These level tracts are varied by undulating
country, generally very fertile, and well suited to agri'culturo.
The land north and north-west from Melboui'ne is of this character,
much of the soil throughout being of trap origin, and well knownj for
its richness. Mountainous areas, with some of the peaks rising to
elevations of over 2,000 feet, aro also among the features found on the
coast. Wilson's Promontory may bo referred to
Here Mount, Wilson reaches an altitude of 2,350 feet.
Mitchell River, in Gippsland, the soutliorn spurs from the Dividing
Range approach the .seaboard. East h'om Molbouruo, the peaks
of the Baudenong Range add to the mouiitaiiioiis areas oompiirativoly
near the sea. 'I'he La Trobe, and Black Ranges, and the lo\7 chain
which skirts the coait inland from Airey's Inlet, south-west to Apollo
Bay, forming the watershed for the upper watei-s of the Barwon
River, might also be referred to.
In the middle of Victoria, and for a considerable distance on each
side of the Dividing Range, there is an elevated region or tableland
of varying height. It extends soutli-west from New South AValos,
aud follows the general direction of the cordillera, gradually becoming
lower in the direction of the Murray, and also towards the south and
south-east coasts of Victoria. Tins tableland roachcs its apex in the
rugged and precipitous masse.s which collect the head waters of the
Ovens River, a tributary of the Mur r ay; thence west, the slope of the
tableland is in a westerly direction, tei-minating with the general fall
towards Lake Hindmarsh and the lower basin of the Murray on the
north, and the swamps and marshes of the south-west coast on the
south. In Gippsland, the fall of the tableland towards the south-east
coast is in many places abrupt and steep, but towards the north and
west, the descent is gentle and almost imperceptible.
Ill the >vest and north-west parts of the colony are found vast
plains. These form the south-eastern portion of tho Great Plains of
the interior of Australia. They are covered with Mallee and other
scrabs, and aro suitable for pastoral purposes only. They are to a
large extent almost waterless, and the rainfall on their surface is of a
very uncertain chai-acter.
Mountains. — The pi-incipal feature in the mountain system of
Victoria is undoubtedly the Great Di\-iding Range, which traverses it
almost throughout its entire extent. This cordillera, which is the
most prominent chain in Australia, commences iu the north part
of Queensland, and has a general direction south, parallel to the
eastern coast, preserving a distance from the seaboard of from 50
vches the southern boundary of the colony
•us to the south-west, and afterwards to the
i it approaches its termination near the
5 River.
to 100 miles. When
of New South Wales, it tur
west, losing its elevation a
upper watoi-s of the Hopkin
Throughout its course, but more pai-tioularly in the eastern part,
the Great Dividing Range gives rise to spurs which extend from the
main body, often at right angles thereto. In many places these
lateral ranges radiate from a common centre, situated at some
distance from the main chain. They are numei-ous in Gippsland,
and add much to the diversity of its surface. On the
northern slope of the Gh-eat Dividing Range, the i-amifications are
almost endless; they collect the waters of the many sti'eams which
flow into the Mun-ay on its left bank. Generally, the average elevation
of the lateral ranges is less than that of the main chain, and as they
recede therefrom, it becomes less, finally disappearing in the lower
lands north and south. If we likon the main cordillera to the spinal
column of the body, the lateral ranges would assume the position
of ribs.
Scattered at intervals throughout Victoria, are found ranges,
seldom of any great extent or elevation, which are not counected
with the central system, but stand alone. Of this class are Bass
and Hoddle Ranges, north from Wilson's Promontory, tho L a Trobe
and Black Raugcs, north and north-west fi'om Cape Otway, and the
Serra, Victoria, Black, and Grampian Ranges, which lie west from the
western extremity of the Great Dividing Range. In the north-west
part of the colony occur low elevations or ridges, generally of sand
formation, and unimportant in character.
In addition to the detached ranges are found, on vai-ious pai-ts of
tho surface, mountains which riso from the level tracts between the
Dividing Range and the coast, and also on the northern side of the
main coi-dillera. These isolated peaks seldom attain any great elevation,
and only appear prominent through contrast with the surrounding
country.
Fi'om the foregoing considerations it will be evident that the
mountains of Victoria may be divided into three classes, as follows ;—
1. Great Dividing Range and lateral ranges.
2. Detached Ranges.
3. Isolated Mountains.
GnKAT Dividisq Ranok.—The Great Dividing Rango i.s wthout
douljt tho most prominent feature on the surface of Victoria. It
traverses the colony in an oast and west direction, almost throughout
its entire length, and forms the principal watershed for its rivers.
Tho streams which take their rise on its northern slopes, add theii'
watei-s to those of the Murray, while the rivers, the sources of which
aro situated ou the southern side of this great culminating line, find
their way into the Pacific Ocean, Bass Strait, and the Southern
New
New
Occ This )rdiller
.South AVales, r
South Wales, ji
Muniong Rang«
direction of th.
arouud tho SOI
sudden
a point beyond the 37th imrallel. Thi
generally known as tho Austi-alian Alps.
I t is rugged iu character, rising iu mai
siderabte elevation. Mount Tambo rea
above the lovel of the sea, and iieai' tin
Mount Uotham I'eiii's its lofty summit
•hich reaches i i highest point i
:eives various names throi
It before crossing tho border lino, it is known as the
or Snowy Mountains. From Forest Hill, the general
range is south-west, until tho peaks which cluster
ui'oo of the Mitta Jlitta River aro reached; here a
tbe north-west is made; this direction is maintained to
i of (5,100 feet. ¿
of the ohaiu
ortioii of the chain is
Warragong Mountains,
ly places into peaks of conches
a height of 4,700 feet
; source of the Ovons River,
it above the winter snow-line
if the scenery in this portion
part of Australia are the grandeur and sublimity of mountain scenerjso
amply represented. Many of the steep esc^arpments met m t h a.re
inaocossible. Side by side with lofty peaks, arc deep and uufatImiuabitravines,
in which arc collected the upper ivaters of the vai'iouB streamc
which flow north to the Murray, and south to the ocean. Several of
the higher elevations are covered with snow throughout the winter,
and t . the B s gorfi í may
of a ivild and ]>ictures(iue description. Perhaps ii
be found far into summer. Tho mountain sides generally are densely
woodod, in many cases, up to the summits, but the tops of tho peaks
which reach the winter snow-line aro almost bare, with the exception,
perhaps, of shi'ubs and patches of stunted vegetation.
From Mount Hotiiam, the Great Dividing Range assumos a westsouth
west direction as far as the souree of the Buffalo River, where
numerous spui-s branch out to the north-west. Amid the valleys which
separate these lateral ranges, are collected the head waters of the
King, Rose, and Buffalo Rivers. This part of tho main chain is
kno-wn as tho B a r ry Mountains.
From the source of tho Buffalo River, a south direction is taken by
the Great Dividing Rivngo to Mount Howitt, thance south-west to
Mount Magdala, and again south beyond Monnt Clear. The chain
noxt assumes a westerly direction, aud from Mount Macdonald has a
southerly, and then a south-easterly course, giving rise in this part to
the numerous streams which augment the volume of tho Macallistei-
River. A genei'al direction to the west, with several vriudings,
follows. West from a spur known a-s Wright's Range, the numerous
tributaries received by the Yarra Yarra on its right bank have their
som-ces. A short distance west from Mount St. Leonard, the maiu chain
turas to the north-west, and maintains this direction beyond Mount
William. From the sources of the King Parrot Creek, a tributary of
the Goulbvirn River, north-west beyond Mount Disappointment, it
receives the name Hume Range. Prom Mount William, the direotions
assumed ai-e successively west, south-west, south-east, sonth, and
south-west to Mount Macedón. Though an elevation of over 3,000
feet is reached by some of the peaks in this part of tho range, the
chain manifestly becomes reduocd in altitude as it proceeds west. It
might also be noticed, that west from the Hume Range, the spurs a r c
not only very much less numerous, but lack that defined character,
found to obtain in those which have then- origin in the more elevated
parts of the parent chain. From Mount Maoedou wo find the direction
to be generally a westerly one, with numerous windings and n
decreasing elevation.
In about longitude 142° '15', or about IJ degrees from the South
Australian border, the Di\-iding Chain terminates. The name Pyrenees
has been given to this part. Several low spurs branch off at various
points, but they are of iuconsiderable elevation, and of little importance.
Mount Ararat, which occurs near the termination of thichain,
reaches an elevation of about 2,020 feet above tho level
of the sea.
At intervals, almost throughout its entii'e length, spurs are found
to branch off from the main chain. ITiose which traverse the country
north and south fiom the Australian Alps, aro numerous and well
defined in chai-acter. Many of them maintain a distinctive elevation
for over a hundred miles. In Gippsland, we find them approaching
almost to the shores of Lake King.
On the east side of the Suowy River several small ranges occur,
which intersect each other ut almost every possible angle. These are
no doubt branches, more immediately connected with what is known
in Now South Wales as the South Coast Range. Near their southern
extremity is Mount Ellery, which reaches an elevation of 4,255 feet
above the level of the sea. In these mountains rise several of the
tributaries of the Snowy River, which it receives on its left bank.
South from Mount Cobberas, a peak iu the main chain, not f a r
from the New South Wales border, branches off a well-defined spur.
This rauge bounds the basin of the Snowy River on the west. A series
of spvirs, which assume various directions, foimi the eastern boundary
of the upper portion of the valley of the Tambo Rivor. Mount Bald
Head is situated in the county of Dargo, a short distance from the
main chain. Branching out fi-om it are several spurs which reach
almost to the shores of Lako King. These sepamto the basins of the
Mitchell and Tambo Rivers. To the east of Mount Selma, a peak in
the Diridiug Chain, a spur branches off to the south-east, and
at no very great distance thei'efrom, spreads out into numerous small
ranges. Several ti'ibutaries of the Thomson River havo their sources
in those mountains. Wright's Range assiunes a south-east direction as
it leaves the main chain, a little to tho east of the MOth meridian
of east longitude. At Jloant Baw Baw it forms a group of peaks,
aud turns abruptly to the west-north-west; afterwards it takes a
south-west direction, and advances towai-ds Port Phillip. In the acute
angle formed near Mount Baw Baw, are collected the waters which
form the source of the Yarra Yarra River. This spur finally adopts