IJ2 Daley, Kofcs of a \'isit to Mallacoota Inlet. [voi."^xxxiv. 



dangerous reef. Farther on to the north, along the wooded 

 coast, the outline of Red Bluff indicates proximity to the line 

 and well-sheltered harbour of Twofold Bay. A quaint square 

 tower of massive build stands on the south headland at the 

 entrance. It was originally erected for the purposes of a light- 

 house by Ben. Boyd, an early pioneer of great enterprise : 

 but, owing to inability to satisfy the conditions as to permanent 

 lighting, permission to use a light was refused, and the towrr 

 remains to-day as a lit memorial of its builder. 



Coming into the l)ay, we see the town of Eden, situated on a 

 pnjmontory dividing two circling bays of large extent, second 

 only to Sydney Harbour in length of coast-line. Tlie position 

 of the town at first sight is striking, resembling somewhat a 

 verdure-surrounded, castled town on the heights of some old- 

 world river. The blending of colour reminds one of amethyst 

 and emerald. To the south-west the bold peak of Mount 

 Imlay dominates the landscape. A fleecy cloud rt'sts on its 

 summit, and the scarlet and gold of a setting sun gloriously 

 define its outline, and make a striking and beautiful picture. 

 Forest-clad hills extend almost to the water's edge, and the 

 setting of the town is a very charming one. Mount Imlay was 

 named after Dr. Imlay, a colonist of the " forties," a station- 

 holder who dealt largel)' in stock as far inland as the Winunera 

 River, where in 1843 he had a station called " Decameron." 



Eden is a settlement of historic interest, famous in former 

 days as a chief station of the whaling industry', which is still 

 occasionally carried on in open boats when whales resort to the 

 shelter of the harbour or are driven into it by the " killers " 

 for which Twofold Jjay is noted. The harl^our entrance is 

 one mile and a half wide, with a minimum deptii of 42 feet. 

 The old settlement at Boyd Town, with its quaint church and 

 substantial buildings, is situated on the inner harbour, near 

 the Kiah or Towamba River, and is full of interest. The 

 " trying-out " station of the whaling industry is placed near 

 the Kiah estuary. Kden has a poi)ulation of about 550 persons, 

 and will at some future day, witli railway connnunication, be 

 an ideal seaside resort, as it posses.ses a salubrious climate, 

 good facilities for bathing and fishing, and an environment of 

 great natural beauty. A daily mail service connects it with 

 Bega to the nortii, and regular ocean communication is main- 

 tained with Melbourne and Sydney, from which it is distant 

 350 and 210 miles respectively. 



At 6 a.m. I left Eden by coach for (ienoa River, 45 miles 

 distant. For some miles up and down hill the road skirts the 

 bay, the intervening valleys being covered with thick growth 

 of ferns, climbrrs, and myrtaceous plants, gums and acacias, 

 banksias, hazel, musk, sassafras, and " hlly-pillies," whilst 



