24*2 APPROACH TO SYDNEY. 



of nmcli service to vessels when close in shore.* 

 The low land in the vicinity of Sydney and Botany 

 Bav, presents a striking contrast with the coast of 

 the Illawarra district, a little further southwards ; 

 where the sea washes the base of a lofty range of 

 hills, which sweeping round some distance in the 

 rear of the two former places, leaves an extensive 

 tract of low country between them and the sea. 

 Upon the summit of these hills there rest almost 

 invariably huge clouds, which serve even through 

 the gloom of the darkest night, to assure the 

 anxious navigator of his position. 



On approaching Sydney, a stranger cannot fail 

 of being delighted with his first glance at the noble 

 estuary which spreads before and around him. 

 After sailing alonof a coast line of cliffs some 200 

 feet in height, and in general efi^ect and outline 

 not unlike those of Dover, he observes an apparent 

 breach in the sea wall, forming two abrupt head- 

 lands, and ere he has time to speculate upon the 

 cause of that fancied ruin, his ship glides between 

 the wave worn cliffs into the magnificent harbour 

 of Port Jackson. The view which solicits the eye 



* Some years since a ship with convicts was driven at night 

 by a S.E. gale, close in with the light, and was obliged to run 

 for the harbour, but being then without anything to guide her 

 into the entrance, was wrecked on the south point. The loss of 

 life was dreadful. The light lately erected near the Sow and 

 Pigs reef, has in some measure remedied the evil here pointed 

 out: but being too far within, and on the south side of the 

 entrance, it is not made out till, with southerly winds, a ship 

 has approached dangerously close to the North Head. 



