Thursday, 7th June, 1827
Left the settlement at 4 o’clock in the morning, proceeded up the Brisbane, and arrived at the limestone hills, on the left branch, at 10 o’clock at night; distance, 57 miles.
Friday, 8th June, 1827
Sent the boat back to the settlement, and proceeded overland; directed my course S.S.W. in the direction of Mount Dumaresq; the country very fine a black vegetable mould, on a limestone bottom; the timber consisted of several varieties of the eucalyptus, viz. iron bark, blue gum, box, apple tree, and a variety I have not hitherto seen, the trunk resembling iron bark, with a broad leaf. This tree is only found on the best soils – at a distance it very much resembles the cork tree; at 2 o’clock came to the banks of the Brisbane; the beauty of the spot, and the men being much fatigued, induced me to halt for the night; distance this day, only 13 miles.
Saturday, 9th June, 1827
Resumed my route at 8 o’clock; the country for 8 miles superior to yesterday; shot two beautiful parrots (a new species), not hitherto found in the Colony; came to a large swamp, several miles in extent; skirted it for some miles, and then crossed it; came again on the Brisbane, running N.E.; crossed it, and proceeded up the left bank; approached Mount Dumaresq towards evening; the country now exceeded, in beauty and fertility, any thing I had before seen; in the bed of the river I found several specimens of coal and crystal; distance, 20 miles.
Sunday, 10th June, 1827
Commenced this day’s journey at half-past 8 o’clock; crossed a beautiful plain, two miles in width, and about three in length, very lightly timbered; no preparation requisite for the ploughshare; at half-past 9 o’clock entered a thick scrub, at the foot of Mount Dumaresq, which continues to the summit; found several turkies, and a remarkable large pigeon, upwards of three pounds weight; gained the top of the mountain at 3 o’clock; I had a grand and extensive prospect; the limestone hills bore N.N.E.; I had traversed the valley of the Brisbane 36 miles, and it appeared about the same in breadth; I may safely rely that there is in this beautiful vale at least half a million of acres, excellently watered, and fit for any purpose to which it may be applied. I could likewise distinctly see the windings of the Logan, through an extensive and beautiful country eastward from Mount Dumaresq, and only separated from the valley I had quitted by moderately elevated ground. On descending the mountain, on the southern side, had to encounter a difficult scrub, which I could not clear before sun-set; luckily found water in a ravine, where I stopped for the night; distance this day, 12 miles.
Monday, 11th June, 1827
Resumed my descent through the scrub at 8 o’clock; after much difficulty cleared it at 10 o’clock; found a branch of the Logan at the base, running northward; the river here passed through a large swampy plain, well adapted to graze cattle; saw a large flock of emus, the first seen in the vicinity of Moreton Bay; the course of the river making a detour to the west, left its banks, having changed my course to south, in the direction of Mount Shad- forth, and after a few miles walk, re-crossed the Logan, which flowed through a large plain; the grass thereon being on fire, obliged me again to cross the river; proceeded up the left bank for some miles; the mountains, towering on each other on every side, reminded me of a Pyreneean valley; at 4 o’clock killed a large kangaroo, which was very acceptable to the men; distance, 25 miles.
Tuesday, 12th June, 1827
Continued my route to the south; the river branched into several streams; we were evidently near the source; walked for some hours over a hilly country, admirably adapted for grazing sheep; came to a creek at the foot of Mount Shadforth, and shot an emu on the bank; ascended the mountain, which was the most fatiguing part of the journey, it unfortunately began to rain27 on my reaching the summit, accompanied by a thick fog, which pre- vented me from having so extensive a prospect as I expected. I was surrounded by mountains on all sides, but I could not get a view of Mount Warning; to continue my route to the southward would have been very difficult, and would have protracted the journey beyond the time intended, I therefore determined to steer eastward, and gain the low country; descended the mountain to the eastward, and halted for the night in a native’s encampment, which was very apropos, as the rain continued; distance, 15 miles.
Wednesday, 13th June, 1827
Continued my route eastward, over a very difficult and mountainous country; at length perceived Mount Warning, direct in my course; on approaching the base found the principal branch of the Logan; the stream was so rapid, I had some difficulty in passing; encamped on the right bank and immediately commenced to ascend, in hope of reaching the summit, but could only gain a peak, not more than half-way to the top; all attempts appeared hopeless at the east and north sides, and it would have detained me two dayslonger, to have made a detour to the westward, probably with as little chance of success; I therefore returned to the encampment, with the intention of proceeding on my journey in the morning; distance, 14 miles.
Thursday, 14th June, 1827
Made another attempt to ascend the mountain on the north side; got to the top of a peak, considerably higher than yesterday; had a very extensive view; found Limestone Hills bore due north; recommenced my journey to the east; proceeded for some miles without much difficulty; crossed another river, which washed the S.E. side of the mountain, and united with the other a few miles below; crossed some beautiful valleys, well watered with mountain streams; got into an extensive scrub, which prevented me making way to the east; towards evening made a detour to the N. to clear the scrub, and got into an open forest country, before sun-set; distance, 20 miles.
Friday, 15th June, 1827
Started at sun-rise, proceeded east, passed through a fine hilly country covered with most luxuriant grass, to the top of the hills, the soil principally a black vegetable mould; this part of the country is the best I have seen, either for sheep or cattle, and is most abundantly watered, each valley possessing a beautiful rivulet; passed several considerable streams which unite with the Logan; towards evening my route eastward was completely terminated, by mountains covered with pine scrubs, to the summit; perceiving a stream running north, I determined to follow its course for a few miles, for the purpose of finding a more even way to cross the mountains, to the sea coast; distance, 25 miles.
Saturday, 16th June, 1827
Started N.E. over a hilly country, somewhat inferior to yesterday, but well adapted to pasturage; distance, 15 miles.
Sunday, 17th June, 1827
Ascended a ridge of mountains; could see nothing but mountains38 to the eastward, covered with pine scrubs; provisions were nearly exhausted, and the men’s shoes worn out; determined to steer northward, and join the settlement; proceeded down the banks of a river, through a rich tract of country; saw several kangaroos, but the dogs were so weak, they could not run them down; fortunately before sun-set killed one; stopped for the night; distance, 20 miles.
Monday, 18th June, 1827
Continued my route; passed through a rich valley,40 towards mid-day left the valley on my right; my route now lay over some rocky ridges, the worst country I have passed through; the men greatly fatigued; distance, 16 miles.
Tuesday, 19th June, 1827
Continued north the first part of the day, the country was very good; much improved in appearance to that traversed yesterday; towards noon it became swampy; at two o’clock arrived at the Logan, not fordable; stopped for the night; distance 20 miles.
Wednesday, 20th June, 1827
Made several unsuccessful attempts to cross the river; moved up the bank about 8 miles.
Thursday, 21st June, 1827
Proceeded up the river about two miles, crossed at a ledge of rocks, steered north for the settlement; the soil principally a light sandy loam; timbered with forest oak; a considerable number of swamps; distance, 22 miles.
Friday, 22nd June, 1827
Recommenced my route for Brisbane Town, for a few miles through a swampy country; towards mid-day arrived at Cowper’s Plains, and crossed Canoe Creek; reached the Brisbane opposite the settlement at 4 o’clock.