Notes

1. Blaxland did not exaggerate when he referred to the "important alterations" resulting from his expedition, and he cleverly sums up the matter in his reference to the "changing of the aspect of the colony" into a "rich and extensive continent."

2. This river is now known as the Warragamba

3. This is proof positive that Blaxland originated the expedition, and became the leader, Wentworth and Lawson being associated with him. The ages of the explorers at this time were: Blaxland 35, Wentworth 19, Lawson 38. The plan devised was destined to prove successful, and originated with Blaxland. He had evidently pondered the matter, after his two previous abortive attempts, and had taken careful notes of the general appearance of this portion of the country.

4. This is interesting, as it shows that Cox's road followed very closely on Blaxland's tracks, with the single exception of the ascent of the first range. (This in reference to the road made by William Cox under Governor Macquarie's direction.) "Mount Blaxland"--This has been identified as that isolated sugar-loaf on the right bank of the Cox River, distant about 7 miles S.W. from Mount York. The mountain is very little changed at the present day (1913), and no doubt presented much the same appearance to Blaxland. Blaxland is hardly correct in ascribing the naming of this mountain to Governor Macquarie. The name was bestowed upon it by G. W. Evans, subsequently confirmed by Governor Macquarie, on arrival at the terminal point of Blaxland's expedition, which was at Mount Blaxland. Two other smaller conical shaped hills on the opposite sides of the stream were named Wentworth and Lawson's Sugar-Loaves respectively, by Evans.

5. "Blaxland's Farm" was situated on the left bank of South Creek, about 3 miles (in 1913) from the present township of St. Marys. The allotment is shown on an early map of the district published in 1808.

6. "Emu Island" does not exist at the present day (1913), but originally it occupied that semi-circular bend of the river about 1 mile north from the railway bridge. Here the stream was shallow enough to permit of an easy crossing. Approaching the river form a northerly direction (their track from the farm would lie in a north-westerly direction), they continued on a diagonal course S.W., and so approached the first range.

7. Names not recorded

8. The "lagoon" mentioned is (in 1913) a body of fresh water lying between Glenbrook station and the preset road.

9. The bearing given of Grose Head (viz. about 7 miles N. by E.), evidently from a position near the lagoon, can be checked at the present day (1913), and a portion of Blaxland's track thus identified.

10. These are the general characteristics of the country in this locality at the present day (1913).

11. Who was this "European?" Possibly Dawes, Hacking, or Wilson, although it is mere supposition, as there is no definite record to go upon.

12. This was the commencement of the "blazed track", which method was continued to the termination of their tour at Mount Blaxland. From this point on the return journey great difficulty was experienced in finding their way back to the river.

13. This additional fatigue told severely on the party.

14. This would imply that mutiny was abroad, but evidently the counsels of the leader were listened to, and the trouble was overcome.

15. This is where the difficulty of endeavouring to plot the route of the explorers correctly is encountered. The varied directions as given, imply that some insurmountable obstacles presented themselves all through the journey on this day.

16. This description tallies with the nature of the country between Faulconbridge and Linden. The bearings of Grose Head and Mount Banks (now King George--1913) would be about correct from this neighbourhood.

17. This ridge may be easily identified as that near Linden station, now (1913) carrying the present road. Its width tallies with that described by Blaxland, and there are deep precipices on either side. The mass of rock still (1913) exists to the east of Linden station. The old Bathurst road will be found on the top. The northern end of the ridge has been cut away to allow of the passage of the present road and railway.

18. This ridge is the one beyond Linden station running N. and S. From a rocky eminence, the bearings given in the text, will be found to agree exactly.

19. Long known (but erroneously called) as "Cayley's Repulse." This memorial, or what remains of it (1913) was located on Sept. 6, 1912, by a party of members of the Aust. Historical Society.

20. A mistaken impression, as Bass never reached this portion of the Mountains, judging by his route map and description of the country. The cairn was more probably erected by Hacking or Wilson.

21. This swamp is situated (1913) at the foot of the ridge beyond Linden station, referred to in Note 18.

22. Situated about midway between Hazelbrook and Lawson, probably the source of Hazelbrook Creek.

23. Situated in the neighbourhood of Wentworth Falls.

24. This was the narrowest escape of annihilation the party experienced, being the only time they were really exposed to danger from the attacks of natives.

25. The high ridge beyond Wentworth Falls. As a proof that this is the locality indicated, the spot is due south from Mt. King George (originally named Mt. Banks).

26. A straight line drawn due west from the Nepean would measure exactly 18 miles, showing how remarkably accurate Blaxland was on his computation.

27. They were by now evidently on the edge of some part of the precipice overlooking the Kanimbla Valley, between Leura and Katoomba.

28. The fact that the party resolved to bear more to the north, in their endeavours to find a passage down to the lower lands, is responsible for the accidental arrival on the high tongue of land, now known as Mt. York. It would have been quite probable, otherwise, that they would have attempted the descent of the range in the vicinity of Mt. Victoria pass, where the lay of the country would have presented less difficulty, as regards the descent, than Mt. York. This discovery, however, came afterwards, when a more practicable route was discovered, and the opening of the Victoria Pass in 1832 sealed the fate of the old Bathurst road in its descent of Mt. York.

29. Between Medlow Bath and Blackheath. The swamp is still in existence (1913).

30. By "clouds" Blaxland evidently meant to imply the rising mists from the valley, as they were still coasting along the edge of the precipice.

31. This would answer to the description of the country around Blackheath (in 1913), as they would now be in this locality.

32. This view of the lower lying country would be obtained from a spot in the neighbourhood of Mt. Victoria.

33. The termination of this day's journey brought them out to the edge of Mt. York. It is quite possible that on observing the low-lying lands beneath him, Blaxland conceived that he had at length reached the termination of the main range, and then decided to push on some distance further, where from one or other of the elevations beyond he would be able to obtain some idea of the country to the westward.

34. "The Lett River", which was crossed next day. (Named by Evans, and recorded in his journal as the "Riverlett", meaning the Rivulet. Hence the present name of this stream.)

35. The party evidently returned to the summit of the mountain, where the camp of the evening of May 28 was formed.

36. The first Bathurst road, which passed over Mt. York, was formed along this pass, and traces of the work are still (1912) distinctly visible.

37. Blaxland is somewhat out in his calculation, as a straight line drawn from the summit of the first range, above the Nepean, running N.W., would measure nearer 30 miles--not 20--as stated.

38. This would bring them to the Lett River at a spot about 1/2 mile south-east of the Hartley Vale road (in 1912)

39. First, the Lett River, lower down its course, and then the Cox River, probably near the junction of the two streams, as the old Bathurst road crossed the latter stream near the junction.

40. Probably Lowther Creek, a tributary of the Cox River. The "sugar-loaf" hill is Mt. Blaxland (named by Evans), and rises above the stream. Two other conical-shaped hills in the near vicinity were also named by Evans, Wentworth and Lawson's Sugar-loaves. (The write climbed this hill Nov., 1912, and probably stood on the very spot where Blaxland and his party took up their positions, and from where a magnificent prospect, embracing all points of the compass, is obtainable.)

41. This is exactly the appearance the river bed presents today (1913), strewn with large water-worn boulders of dark-coloured granite.

42. On viewing the wide extent of mountainous country to the west, which still had to be passed over, Blaxland in view of the physical condition of the party, and recognising the value of the work already accomplished, decided to return to the settlement, as it was hopeless to proceed further. No doubt his disappointment was keen, when the prospect from the summit of Mt. Blaxland was revealed to him. He possibly anticipated finding a level stretch of country behind the range which shut them in after leaving Mt. York, but was soon undeceived. Under the circumstances Blaxland's decision was a wise one, and even if he and his party did not complete the entire passage of the Mountains, they, and they alone, are deserving of the honour which will ever be theirs of finding a practical passage across the main portion of this hitherto insurmountable barrier.

43. It is difficult to say what this noise was really occasioned by. It could not have come from the settlements below the Mountains, as surmised by Blaxland, as was more probably some underground disturbance. A curious coincidence is afforded in Bass's journal, where at one period of his journey he recorded the fact that at a particular spot "he heard the surges roll," as he expressed it. This was, of course, an utter impossibility, and the origin of the noise was probably the same as that heard by Blaxland.

44. From this point homewards there were no marks on the trees to guide them.

45. In view of the statement concerning the provisions, it appears that the river was crossed twice by at least one member of the party, probably by swimming.