PORT STEPHEN. 313 



Steplien. The sea-face of Toraare is a high 

 line of cliffs, from which projects a sand-spit, 

 leaving only a narrow entrance. When in this 

 I noticed that a round hill at the south end of 

 a distant range, was over the opening between 

 the first island and the northern shore of the 

 harbour. Within the entrance are extensive sand- 

 banks, leaving between them and the south shore a 

 narrow, and in some parts deep, channel, subject to a 

 rapid stream of tide. Port Stephen may be con- 

 sidered a large estuary, about fifteen miles in length, 

 contracted near the centre to a width of about a mile, 

 which is further lessened by the presence of a woody 

 islet, the same I have before alluded to. Nearly 

 two miles within this narrow the Beagle anchored off 

 the settlement of the Australian Agricultural Com- 

 pany, a straggling village called Carrington, on the 

 western shore of the harbour. On the side of a hill, 

 half a mile to the w^estward, is the residence of the 

 superintendent, a situation which, to enhance the 

 pleasure of our visit, was held by Captain P. P. King, 

 R.N. Tahlee, the name of this spot, surpassed in 

 beauty all I have ever seen in Australia. It stands 

 on the crest of a steep grassy slope, over which are 

 scattered numerous small bushy lemon trees, the 

 deep verdure of their foliage, interspersed with 

 golden fruit, contrasting charmingly with the light 

 green carpet from which they sprung. At the foot 

 of this declivity, a screen of trees rising to a consi- 

 derable height, almost shuts out the view of the 



