J*"-^1 DA.LEY, Notes of a Visit to Mallacoota Inlet. 139 



Between the Thurra River and the fertile Cann there is some 

 splendid scenery, especially at the Drummer Mountain, whence 

 the Pacific Ocean can be seen, and on which the fern vegetation 

 in great variety, from the deep-embowered streamlet to the 

 mountain-top, flourishes most profusely. Here, too, the Gipps- 

 land Waratah, Telof^ea oreades, grows freely. The woodland 

 scenery can hardly be surpassed, even in Gippsland. 



At the Cann River, which flows to Tamboon Inlet, and along 

 the course of which there is some very productive land on the 

 rich alluvial flats, we changed our conveyance for one of the 

 old-time Cobb's coaches, giving plenty of room and comfort. 

 Well-timbered country continued, and at Euchre and Victoria 

 Creeks the road winds along for miles above and among fern 

 vegetation delightful to the eyes, whilst the clear air and the 

 scent of fragrant musk and scrub made the journey exhilarating. 

 The Bemm River marked the next scanty settlement, and from 

 there to Bcllbird Creek the road continued good. A divergence 

 was made to Club Terrace, a former briefly prosperous mining 

 district. North of this, on the Combienbar, is some very pic- 

 turesque country. 



We stayed at Bellbird for the night. It is just a bush 

 clearing in the forest, a delightful spot amid the dense timber 

 and luxuriant jungle along the creek. From here the road 

 became heavier and more sandy, with a marked preponderance 

 of Banksia marginata in the vegetation. At Cabbage-tree 

 Creek a branch track passes the Livistona palms and goes to 

 Mario. The last stretch, through the Brodribb River to Orl)ost, 

 was much the worst part of the 89 miles coach journey, being 

 partly under repair and reconstruction. We reached Orbost 

 and its green river flats after an interesting journey, and next 

 day took train homewards. 



No one can doubt of the great future before this great stretch 

 of country l^etween Orbost and the border. Its vast timber 

 supplies, its mineral resources, rich river flats, and forest ridges 

 only need for development good roads and speedy means of 

 communication. Some day a railway will connect Orbost 

 with Eden through Genoa, and then distant Mallacoota will 

 come to its own, and the charm of its scenery, its mild climate, 

 and advantages for the nature student and the sportsman 

 will make it a deservedly popular resort and sanatorium. 



Referencks. 



" Climatic and Geological Influence on the Flora of New South Wales," Pro- 

 ceedings A.A.A.S., 1907, Adelaide, K. H. Cambage, F.L.S. 



" The Physiography of Eastern Australia," Commonwealth Meteorological 

 Bulletin No. 8, 1911, T. G. Taylor, B.Sc, &c., F.G.S. 



" A Census of Victorian Eucalypts and their Economics," Proceedings 

 A.A.A S., 1913, Melbourne, R. T. Baker, F.L.S. 



" The Relation of Geological Formation to the Character of Indigenous Flora," 

 the Geelong Naturalist, vol. v., No. 2, 1912, Chas. Daley, B.A., F.L.S. 



