The coast-line on the cast extends in a general direction of north north-ea/A from Cape Howe to Cape Byron, when it recedes a little to the west. There are numerous harbours formed by the mouths of the rivers flowing into the Pacific. The chief of these, proceeding from south to north, are—Twofold Bay, at the mouth of the Towamba, immediately north of Cape Green, one of the boldest promontories along the coast; Barmouth, Bateman Bay, Sussex Haven, Jervis Bay, Shoalbaven, Port Hacking, Botany Bay, Sydney, Port Jackson, Broken Illy, Port Hunter, Port Stephens, Farquhar and Harrington Inlets at the mouths of the Manning and Lansdowne river; Port Macquarie, Trial Bay, Shoal Bay at the mouth of the Clarence River, in 29° 5' S. lat., whence there is no other till we come to Moreton Bay, with its group of islands extending 70 miles from north to south. In this extent the shore presents every variety of appearance. From Cape Green to Shoalbaven River the cliffs are generally low ; from Shoal haven River, north of 80° S. ht., to Hunter River, north of 35° S. lat., they present a range of bold perpendicular cliffs of sandstone lying in horizontal strata, occasionally interrupted by sandy beaches, the high laud retiring to a considerable distance. Numerous sand-hills occur along the remaining part of the coast. Port Stephens is a bar-harbour, so that small vessels only can enter it; those of larger description are compelled to anchor outside. In some parts, especially north of Trial Bay (30° 50' S. lat.) and south of the mouth of Clarence River, are tracts of coast many miles iu length, where it is rocky and rises to a considerable elevation. The harbours are only found at the mouths of the numerous livers.
Rivers.—The larger rivers which drain the country between the Pacific and the watershed have water all the year round. They gene rally flow in beds which are deeply depressed below the common level of the country, and between banks which rise perpendicularly, or nearly so, from 100 to 200 feet, and frequently higher, so that the streams are inaccessible, except at a few places. They are of little use either for irrigation or for transport. The Shoalhaven River, the most southern of the considerable rivers of this region, rises on the table lands east of the Warragong Mountains, and ruus about 90 miles northward, measured in a straight line, and then about 40 miles east ward. About 20 miles from its mouth occurs the last rapid, up to which the tide flows. The mouth of the river is much obstructed by shoals and sand-banks. The Itawkesbury falls into Brokeu Bay. It rises under the name of Wollondilly, on the connecting table-lands, and receives nearly all the waters which are collected on them. It flows in a deep bed, sinking into a deep ravine, when it is no longer accessible. The last rapids occur near Windsor, from which place it is navigable for moderate vessels. Windsor is only 40 miles from the sea in a straight line, but 100 miles at least following the windings of the river, whose waters are fresh for 30 miles below the town. Its estuary, Broken Bay, is surrounded by reeks, and has several good anchorages even for large vessels, the best of which is called Pittwater.
The whole course of the river exceeds 250 miles. Sometimes the floods of this river rise to 90 feet above its usual level, and the inun dations then lay waste the fertile tracts on its banks. George's River falls into Botany Bay. It runs hardly 60 miles, but is navigable for boats from Liverpool downwards, a distance of about 12 miles iu a direct line, but 24 miles following the windings of its course. Hunter Riven• disembogues into Port Hunter. It has two great branches, ono called Hunter and the other Goulburn. The first rises in the Liverpool Range, the other in the connecting ridge, and both have very tortuous courses. The navigation begins at Maitland, about 20 miles from Port Hunter by land, but nearly 40 miles by water, and a steamboat plies regularly between that town and Sydney. This river often rises rapidly after heavy rains, and in some places to the height of 50 feet.
The navigable rivers which drain the countries north of the Hunter are the Manning, Hastings, Apsley, Clarence, and Brisbaue. The Manning and the Hastings both fall into Port Macquarie, which is a bar-harbour, admitting only vessels of 100 tons burden; and it is dangerous to enter, except at full tide, on account of the rapid current, which sets the vessels ashore upon the shoals on the northern side of its entrance. Outside the bar is good anchorage for ships of the largest Blass, except when the wind blows strong upon the shore. Within the bar is secure anchorage for a great number of vessels.
North of Port Macquarie is the valley which is drained by the Apalcy or MaeLeay River, which divides about 12 miles from the sea into two branches, inclosing a large island. The main branch at the northern end forma the harbour of Trial Bay, which has a bar across, having from 12 to 17 feet of water upon it. This river is navigable to a distance of more than 50 miles from the sea, when farther progress is impeded by a fall, which occurs where the river issues from a narrow glen, whose sides rise 900 feet above its bed. Below this place the river rues through a wide valley, in which there are some plains destitute of timber, and gently-rising hills covered with open forests and grassy pastures. Farther north is the valley of the Clarence River. The mouth of the river is at Shoal Bay, 29° 20' S. lat. The bar across its entrance has 12 feet of water on it at high tides. Brisbane River falls into Moreton Bay, and is navigable by ships drawing 1G feet of water 20 miles up, at which point a ridge of rocks crosses the bed, but to a distance of more than 60 miles from the sea it may bo navigated by boats. Several of its tributaries are also navigable for some miles from their mouths. The country on both banks of the river presents an alternation of hills and level tracts. The soil, which is very good, is overgrown with high trees, among which aro cedars and cypress trees of great magnitude. The highest hills lie on the north side of the river, where some rise from 700 to 800 feet. The farthest sources of the Brisbane are in the Coast Range, which here offers an easy passage to the interior by a gap which occurs south of 28°S. lst., north of Mount Mitchell, which is 4120 feet above the sea.