ATLAS OF AUSTRALIA—1886.
Pvoni the 12!'tli ineiidinn of east longitude, west aloug the
soaLofird ot tho Great Australian IHght, th'j {jeucral trend of the coast
is somowlmt to the soutli of west. Beyond Point Culver, until Cape
Arid is readied, a soutli-west direction is wniatained. Bctweeu the
liil ter and Ciilham Inlet, occur uumei-ous islands and rocks, known as
tbo Rücherché Ari'liipolah'o. Hero the seaboard, with tlia escoption
of lieadlands, lies east and west. Tlience to Cape Leeuwin an extensive
curvo is fomed, tho most southern points of which nro Peak
Dead and West Cape Howe. Between Capes Hainolin and Nutimiliste,
the general direction of tho coast is north. A break is caused by
Geogifvphe Bay, part of tho southern shore of which lies east and
west. Thence north to Steep Point, a course to the west of north ia
followed. Beyond tho indentation known as Shark Bay, northeasterly,
east-north-easterly, and north-easterly directions succeed
each other until Cape Londonderry is reached. Tho remaining
portion of the coast line forms the southern shore of Cambridge Gulf.
Projecting Points.—The following are the principal capes and
headlands :—
Point Dover—On the south coast, east of the 125th meridian.
Point Gulve.r—A. short distance to the west of the 125th meridian.
Point Demp»lir—Oa the south-west side of Israelite Bay.
Point Jfatcoim-Scutli-west from the latter.
C«2'e PasU.y—Oa the east side of Saudy Bight.
Cnjje Arid—A little to the west of the samo inlet.
Point C/icyne—To the west of the Duke of Orleans Bay.
C"pe Lc Griind—A headland on the south-east side of Esperance
Bay.
Hood Point—The headland ending in this point forms the south-west
side of Doubtful Island Bay.
Cape Knoh—Oa the west side of Dillon Bay.
Point Zrii/—South from Beaufort Inlet.
C<ipe Richie—A short distance south from Cheyne Bay.
LoohoiU PoMii—Opposite Bald Island.
Cape Vancuiivin-—South-west from Port Two People.
Bahl and Peak Eeadi—Immediately south of King George's Sound.
IFwi Cape ÍTotcc—Forming the western side of Tor Bay.
West to Flinders Bay are found Knapps Head, SilUer Point,
KmjU Point, Cliffy Head, D'Entrecasteaux Point, and Black Poiut.
Cape Leeuwin—Near the month of the Blackwood Eiver.
Cape mturaZisi^—This headland is situated on the western side of
Geogi-aphe Bay.
Steep Point—The most western point on the mainland of Anstralia.
Cape Inecription—At the northom end of Dirk Hartog Island.
Cape PeroH—The northern extremity of Peron Peninsula.
Petit Point—The headland between Lharidon Bight and Hamelin
Pool.
Cape Near the 24th parallel.
Cape Farquhar—&. short distance north from the latter.
Point Between the 22nd and 23rd parallels.
North-west Cape—The northern extremity of the headland forming
the we.st side of Exmouth Gulf.
Cape LocTa-r—On the east side ot tho entrance to Exinouth üulf.
Cape Preston—Immediately south of Dampier's Archipelago.
Cape Lamlerl—Opposite Bezout Island.
Cape TAoHiii-East from the Geographe Shoals.
Sunt foíiií—Near Port Hedland.
Near the 20tb parallel are Sjiil Point, Point Larrey, an<l Poitsonier
Point.
South-west h'om Lagrange Bay ai-e Capes Jaubert, Frezier, Dahamel,
and Sossut.
Between Lagrange and Roebuck Bays, there are Capes Latoicehe
Treúille, Qonrdon, and Villaret; and on the north side of the latter
inlet, Entrance Point.
Cope ioi^tviK—North of the 18th pai-allel.
Point Omdonib—A. short distance south from Camot Bay.
Cape Baskerville—Oa íhe north side ot the same inlet.
Point Emcrian and Cape Btn-rfo—North-east from Bengle Bay.
Cape Lovcqne and Bican Point—At the northern extremity of the
headland forming the western side of King Sound.
P(dnl ffdZi—Immediately south of Camden Sound.
Cape Pund—On tlie north-east side of York Sound, near the entrance.
Cope Voltaire—Oa the west side of Admiralty Gulf.
Cape Biinyainmlle—The northern extremity of the peninsiiln foimed
by Vansittart Bay and Admiralty Giilt.
Cape Talhot—Norfch-oast fi-om Vansittart Bay.
Cope Londonderry—The most northern point in West-ern Australia.
Cajies Bulkieres and .Bt-mier—Near tlie 1-tth parallel.
Cape St. Lítmicrí—North-west fi-om Revely Island.
Buclde ffeaii—Soath-east from the same island.
Capes Dussejour and Between the I4th and lüth parallels.
Indentations.—Oil the south coast, between the 129th meridian and
the Recherche Archipelago, there is seen tho effect of the G-reat
Aiktlralian Bight. The head of this extensive indentation is situated
in South Australia, a little to the east of the ISlst meridian.
Tho following are the more important inleb
Western Austriilia :—
Israelite Sflj/—North from Point Dempster.
Dull« of 0)'/eiii;» Bay—East from Point Cheyne.
E>i]>eT(mca North-west from Cape Le Grand.
Doubtful Island 5ay—This inlet receives the wato
Q the coast <
a of the Gairdner
and Bald Head.
Kiv
Bramer Bdi^—Tmmediately west of Hood Point.
Kiny George'f Sound—Between Cape Vaneo
Tor flay-Nearly opposite Eclipse Islands.
Flinders Bay—A.t the western extremity of the south coast.
Geoyraphc Bay—Bait of Cape NaturaUste.
Shark .Bíií,—This is a very large prominent indentation, formed on
the west by Bernier, Dorre, and Dirk Hartog Islands. It is
divided into two parts by Peron Peninsula. Deuham Sound,
Freycinet Esliutrij, Lhartdon Bight, Hamelin Pool, and Herald
Bi<i¡it, are smaller inlets within it.
E^tnwuth aulf—Á. large inlet near the 22nd pai-allel.
Nickol Bay—A short distance west from Cape Lambert.
Luyrange £«i/—Between Capes Bossut and Latouoho Treville.
SoehuekBay—South of the 18th parallel.
Camot Bojf—North of Point Coulomb.
Beaijle Bay—Near Sandy Point.
King Sound—A large indentation neai-ly opposite the Biiccaneer
Archipelago. Within it are the smaller inlets known as Qoodenough.
Disaster, and Stores Bays.
Collier Buy—Opposite Montgomery Islands.
Camden Sound—North from Point Hall.
Brunswick Bay—A short distance east from .Jackson Islands.
York Sound—^QB-r the 15th parallel.
Montayue Sonud—A short distnuca east from Bigge'a Island.
Mtidije Soi/—Opposit® AVoliaston Island.
Sici/ts .Bill/—South from Cape Voltaire.
Jdmiralty t^df—A short distance south from the l-ith parallel.
Van^ttart Bay—East of Cape Bougainville.
Cmnh-ixlye Gulf—Sear the dividing line between the Northern
Territoi7 of South Austi-alia, and Western Australia.
Straits.—In connection with the islands and groups found on
various pai-ts of the coast, occur several straits, passages, and
channels. The following may be enumerated ;—
Geelvink Channel—Between the low rocks known as Houtman's
Abrolhos and the mainland. Zeewyk Channel sepai-ates the
Easter and Pelsart Groups, and the Middle Channel lies betsveen
Evening Reef and the Easter Group.
Epineu.c or False Entrance—This narrow passage separates Dirk
Hartog Island from the peninsula formed by Freycinet Estnary.
Naturaliite CAnjoifii—Between Dorre and Dirk Hartog Islands.
Geoyraphe Channel—The northern entrance to Shark Bay. It lies
between Bernier Island and the mainland.
Sii>K?ay Strait—A passage between the numerous islands at the
entrance to King Sound.
Islands.—At various points on the coast of Western Australia there
are islands and island groups. Low islets, rocks, and shoals also
occur on some parts of the seaboard, and increase the difficulties and
dangers incidental to navigation.
The following islands may be enumerated ;—
Secherehc Archipelago—TUs is a numerous group extending from
Point Dempster in the east, to a point west of Esperance Bay.
Most of the islands are small, and, in some cases, mere rocks.
They lie at distances from the land varying between one and
thirty miles.
Douhlful Zsinnrf»—Near Hood Point.
Bald and Ta-in Jsiaiid.i—The foi-mer situated near Lookout Point, tlie
latter a short distance to the south.
Breaksca Islanil—At the entrance of King George's Suiind.
Eclipse and Stony Islands—Hoiiih-nost from Peak Head.
Garden Ixltind—Forming the western side ot Cockbum Sound.
Rottncat Island—Ahoni 12 miles seaward from the mouth of tho
Swan River.
From this part ot the coast north to Knobby Head ai'o Triggs,
lAttle, Edn-iiril, Lancdin, Wedyn, CVcen, Cervantes, Fisherman, and
Beayle Islands.
Huntmnn's JlroJftOS—Tliese are mostly low-lying reefs; thoy include
PcUarl, Easier, and WallaU Gruwps, and North Island.
Dirl llarlog Island^A long narrow island situated north ii-om Steep
Poiut, and forming part of the western side of Shark Bay.
W E S T E R N AUSTRALIA.
Dorre, Beruier, and Knks Islands—Thcso lie a short distance north
from Dirk Hartog Island, and increase t!ie land-locked character
of Shark Buy. They are separated from Dirk Hartog Island by
Natuniliste Channel, and from the mainland by Geogi'aphe
Char
Within Shark Bay and its various arms o , Salutation.
Baudin, and Bahhaye Islands.
JiuM'OJi Island—Near the entrance to Exmoutli Gulf.
Otf the coast, between Capes Looker and Preston, are Monte Bella,
Bai-i-ow, Lowundal, Double, Direction, Thevcnord, Rosily, Mary Amie,
Beagle, and Sholl Islands.
Dampier's Archipelago—This group embraces a large number ot
islands west from, and in the vicinity of, Nickol Bay. East from
Cape Lambert are Dei'uch and Forestier Islamds.
Tiirlle Islands are situated off Spit Poiut, and Bedout Marid is
some distance seaward of Breaker Inlet. East from Poissonier Point
is Solitary Island.
Lacvpede Isles—A small group situated abont fifteen miles off the
coast, near Beagle Bay.
Near the entrance to King Sonnd are numerous islands, grouped
under the name Buccaneer Archipelago.
Between the loth and l(5th parallels, at distances from the land
varying between one and fifty miles, aro the Adele, E.vj'edition,
Montgomery, Cockell's, Auyustus, Chumpagny, Vulcan, and JacJison
De Freycinet Group—These islands lie to the north-west of Brunswick
Bay, and immediately south of the 15th parallel. North from
this group aro Keraudren, Buffon, and Culberl Islands.
Coronation isfemrfs-Near the entrance of York Sound.
North from York Sound are Lamarck, J^i^sieu, Bigge's, Maret,
Prudhoc, and Montalivet Islands.
Wollaston Island is situated near the entrance of Mudge Bay.
In the vicinity ot Cape Voltnii-e there are Condillac, Cassiui,
Pascal, and Fenclon Islands.
Osborne's Islands—Near the entrance of Port Warrender,
North fiom Cape BougainWlla is TrauyhtoH Island, and to the east
are the Eclij,se Islands. Seaward from the latter is Jonts Island.
A little to the east ot Vansittart Bay are Graham Moore's I.^lnnds.
Along the coast from Cape Talbot to the 12f)th meridian are
Stewarts, Leseur, Revely, Lacrosse, and Rocky Islands. Some distance
inward from the entrance ot Cambridge Gulf, there is Adolphjw
Island.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.—iVIuch ot tho surface of Western Austi'alia
consists of extensive plains. These occm-, for the most part, towards
the interior. Immediately in the vicinity of the seaboard, and
extending inland tor distances which vary considerably in different
parts, large tracts of level country are found alternating with
undulating areas. Between the coast territory and the interior occur
ranges, which form a low cordillera, running parallel with the coast
line. In no place do these mountains attain an elevation approaching
that of the cordillera of the east coast. They are found supporting
or riding on the tableland which, as has already been stated, encircles
the continent. Portions of this elevated belt reach an average
altitude ot 1,000 toet above the level of tha sea. The various streams
flowing into the Indian Ocean have their sources in it. It is worthy
of notieo that no rivers rise on the inland slope of the mountains.
Much ot the soil near tho seaboard is ot a sandy character; farther
inland, disintegrated granite enters into the composition ot the
surface deposits. Tra]) occurs to a very lai^e extent in the north,
and adds fertility to tho soil. On the banks ot the Ord, and other
rivers in tho Kimberley District, there is a very large extent of undulating
country, woll grassed, and suited to tho ¡¡asturiug of flocks and
hei-ds. In other parts of the same territory, immense, open, grassy
plains are found. The resources ot this part of the colony not only
remain undeveloped, but were, up to a vory recent period, almost
unknown. It is now definitely ascertained that, in addition to its
capabilities as a pastoral aroa, it is rich in minerals. A considerable
amount of difficulty has been encounterod in testing it in this respect;
but, doubtless, at no distant date, further discoveries will place this
beyond question.
South fi-oin the upper waters of the Fitzroy River, there is a very
large extent of unexplored conntry. It was crossed by Colonel
Warburton, in 1873, and foiiud to present, in many places, the
characteristics of the desert.
The middle of tho colony, between the parallels of 24° and 27"
south, was explored, to a limited extent, by J . Forrest, in 187.1-, and
E. Giles, in 187(5. Much of this portion of the interior was found to
consist of plains covered mt h spinifex, and very indifferently watered.
Farther south, and extending to the seaboard of the Great
Australian Bight, desert coimtry is seen on every hand. Tlie rast
area known as the Grent Victorian Desert, was crossed by E. Giles, in
1875, and described as being destitute of water tor a distance ot over
300 miles.
Mountains —The mountains ot Western Anstralia are not prominent
on account of their elevation, and are generally of >i detached
character. The principal ranges are situated, with but few exceptions,
near the coast, assuming ii position, in the majority of instances,
parallel thereto. The plateau zone already referred to, preserves, to
some extent, the continuity of the elevations, and imparts to the whole
the appearance of a chain.
Stirling Range.—These mountains have a general direction parallel
to the south coast, and are situated about forty miles inland from
King George's Sound, The principal elevations are, Toolbrunup, Roas
Peak, Hume Peak, The Abbey, Mount Magog, and Mount James.
The flrst-naraod reaches an elevation of 3,341 feet above the level of
the sea. Towards the seaboard is the Porongorup Range, which
forms part of tha watershed of the Hay and Kalgan Rivers,
Roe Range.—Situated a few miles inland from Geographe Bay.
Mount Lennard is a prominent elevation in the range.
Darling Range.—^Tbis range ia situated a short distance inland
from the west coast, and e.xtends north from tlie Harvey River to the
sources of the Moore River. The principal peaks are Mount William,
Mount Keats, Mount Wells, Mount Joseph, Mount Randall, and
Mount Dale. The first-named attains an altitude ot 1,088 feet
above the level of the sea.
Smith Mountains.—These mountains extend north, for a short
distance, from the right bank of the Moore River.
Gitirdne.r Mountains.—This range lies close to the coast, being but a
short distance inland fi'om Jurisu Bay. Mounts Lesaur, Peron, and
Benia are the principal peaks. Mount Leseur reaches an elevation of
1,021 feet above the level of the sea,
Eerschel Mountains.—The Herschel Mountains preserve a
paralleUsm mt h the Gairdner Range, and are situated farther inland.
They extend north to latitude 29'' 30' south.
Tho Wnodada Mountains are a continuation, north, of the Herschel
Mountains, Thoy reach to within a short distance ot the left bank of
tho Irwin River. Between them and the coast occur several smaller
ranges.
The Moresby Range lies a short distance inland from Champion
Bay. These mountains give rise to numerous small spui-s, and foi-m
part of the watershed of the Chapman River,
Barloweerie Range.—This small chain forms part of the
watershed of tho Murohison River,
ral direction from
east to west. Mount Welcome is
le of its most prominent elevations.
A short distance to the west, on
10 opposite bank of tlie Murchison
River, is a low range, the highes
jaaks in which are Mount Vinderi
and Grass Mount. Farther up the Si
! stream are the mountains of
which Mounts Narryer, Dugel, and Nairn aro the culminating point-s.
Mounts Hale, Gould, Matliew, and Murchison are elevations near the
banks of the Murchison River.
The Weld Range has a latitudinal direction, and is situated
immediately south of the 27th parallel. Near it are Mounts Geology,
Davis, and Challoner,
The Robinson Ranges.—These mountains lie to the north of tho
26th parallel, and collect the head waters of the JIunOiison River,
Near their western extremity aro Mounts Padbury and Fraser.
ilany of the valleys and level tracts in this portion ot tho colony are
well grassed, and suited to tho pasturing of flocks and herds. A short
distance to the east occurs a group of peaks known as Mount Leake.
Kimberley Rarige.—This short chain is neariy meridional in
direction, and marks the eastern limit of the Murchison basin.
Mounts Bartle and Russell are situated near the southern extremity,
Glenyany Range.—A small chain lying south of the 26th parallel,
and near the 119th meridian.
The Ophthalmia Raixge lies immediately to the north of the tropic
ot Capricorn, and forma the source ot two of the tributaries of the
Ashburton River, Tho country extendinf
chain is ot a very bi'oken character,
r u ^ d peaks of considerable elevation,
watei-s of tho Fortescue and other rive
west coaat, A short distance east fro
id west from this
jany places, into
Here are collected the head
flowing towards the norththe
Ophthalmia Mountains
is the western margin of that vast stei le tract which receives the
name Great Sandy Desert.
The Barlee Range U situated a little to the south of the tropic ot
Capricoi-n, and forms part of the limit, on the north, of the basin of the
Lyons River. Farther down the same stream is the Kennedy Baitge.
The Lockyer Range ia situated between the Gascoyne River and
ita tributary the Lyons. The rainfall on its eastern and southern
slopes augments the volume ot the former, directly, while the streams
iaaning from its western face flow into the latter.