Page:Australia, from Port Macquarie to Moreton Bay.djvu/39

 the other in endless succession, universally covered with dense brushy forest, and intersected by innumerable ravines and gullies worn by torrents.

At Captain Joblin's station, a small brook joins the river on the south bank, to which the stockmen have given the designation of Hindmarshes Creek, and which Mr. Ralfe has altered to the native name, "Parabel." The land surrounding this little stream is of great richness, its physical aspect resembling that of Dongai Creek; the fertile, lightly wooded ranges which confine it are covered with a rich mould, and would be admirably adapted for vines. On this brook are several out-stations, belonging to Major Innes of Port Macquarie and Major Kemp. Beyond this stream, the ranges on the north side of the river form steep, high, rocky banks, rising abruptly from the water, and frequently attaining an altitude of several hundred feet above the river; the back country being very hilly, densely wooded, and intersected by narrow ravines, and brushy hollows, containing rugged water-courses. A few miles higher up the river a razor-backed range, covered to the summit with a dense brush of lofty trees, rises to an altitude of 3000 feet above the level of the sea, on the north bank of the river; at its base flows a large brook called Henderson's Creek, the bed of which is worthy of notice, as its pebbles and gravel consist almost exclusively of triturated quartz. Henderson's Creek is the highest point up the MacLeay river,