THE

QUEENSLAND.

AREAS AND BOUNDARIES.

HE State of Queensland occupies the north-eastern portion of the continent of Australia, and embraces within its limits an area of 668,497 square miles. It is bounded on the north by the Gulf of Carpentaria and Torres Strait, on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the south by the State of New South Wales, and on the west by South Australia and the Northern Territory of that State.

COASTAL FEATURES.

In

Queensland has a coast line measuring 3,000 miles, well marked and lighted throughout, and portions of it, particularly in the north after leaving Keppel Bay, are remarkable for the beauty of their scenery. From Mackay northwards towards Bowen, the Whitsunday Passage offers magnificent views of mountains rising abruptly from the margin of the ocean, together with many picturesque islands, whose denselywooded sides dip down to waters of the deepest blue. The Hinchinbrook Passage is especially noted for the grandeur of its scenery, particularly in autumn, when the wild mountain sides next the sea are brightened by the presence of numerous flashing cascades. addition to the hosts of islands off the east coast, the presence of the Great Barrier Reef tends to break the force of the waves, and affords a comparatively smooth passage up or down the coast. This vast natural break water, built up by the tireless energy of the coral polyp, lies at a distance of from 10 to 150 miles from the shore, and the long voyage from Torres Strait on the north, as far down as Cape Capricorn, may be performed entirely within the sheltered channel thus formed. There are numerous openings by means of which vessels sailing in the open ocean may pass through to the calmer waters between the reef and the shore, but these passages require very skilful negotiation. Captain Cook's vessel, the "Endeavour," had the misfortune to strike on the reef in 1770, and but for the fact that a portion of the coral came away when the ship floated off, and helped to block up the rent in her timbers, the historic voyage would have had a disastrous ending. Cook appropriately named the headland near by Cape Tribulation, and the stream at the mouth of which he careened and repaired his vessel the Endeavour River. The point in the reef where his mishap took place has been located, and a gun and various other relics are stated to have been recovered therefrom.

Proceeding northwards from Point Danger, the northernmost point of New South Wales, there is a stretch of rather uninteresting coastline, the first important headland being Lookout Point, on the extreme

end of Stradbroke Island. The projection on the north-western corner of the island is known as Amity Point. Cape Moreton, on Moreton Island, is a rocky promontory, on which a lighthouse has been erected. The next important projection is Double Island Point, on the southern crescent of Wide Bay. Here a lighthouse has been erected at a height of 315 feet above the level of the sea. From this point northward the coastline takes a decided sweep to the west, through about 11 degrees of longitude. Bustard Head stands at the entrance to Port Curtis. The bluff promontory on the north-eastern end of Curtis Island was named Cape Capricorn by Captain Cook, because it lies almost precisely under the tropic line. A lighthouse stands on the headland at a height of 316 feet above the sea. Continuing northward past Cape Manifold and Cape Townsend, shoals of small islands are passed through. Cape Conway lies at the northern end of Repulse Bay, and the passage north wards from this point is thickly studded with islands, the scenery in the neighbourhood being strikingly picturesque. Cape Bowling Green, on the southern part of the bay of the same name, is provided with a lighthouse. Near Cape Cleveland the coastal scenery for miles is dominated by Mount Elliott, which rises to the height of 4,000 feet. From Cape Grafton northwards the coastline offers much grand and striking scenery. At times the mountain sides rise directly out of the ocean, at others retreating inland, many charming vistas of wooded plain and rugged height are disclosed. Cape Tribulation, named by Captain Cook, is about 30 miles south of Cooktown, while 30 miles northward is the projection known as Cape Flattery. The Great Barrier Reef is here fairly close to the shore, and there are numerous subsidiary reefs and islets. Farther north Cape Melville stands at the entrance to Bathurst Bay. Higher up on Cape York Peninsula are the headlands named Cape Direction and Cape Grenville. Cape York, the most northern point of Queensland and of the Australian continent, is situated in latitude 10° 40". Rounding Cape York and turning southward into the Gulf of Carpentaria, the scenery undergoes a complete change. Instead of the lofty precipices and richly-wooded heights. and islands of the eastern coast, the Gulf shore for many miles consists of monotonously low swampy ground and dismal clumps of mangrove. The only noteworthy projections on the eastern side are Duyfken Point (erroneously spelled on the map as "Duyfhen") and Cape Keerweer, both reminiscent of the early Dutch visitors to these localities. On the southern shore are Points Tarrant and Bayly.

The eastern coast of Queensland, from Point Danger right up to Cape York, is diversified by numerous indentations, but the contour of the shore line in the Gulf of Carpentaria is more or less regular and unbroken. Commencing from the south, the first noteworthy indentation is Moreton Bay, the entrance to which is protected by Moreton and Stradbroke Islands. The bay, which receives the drainage of the Brisbane River, is shallow, and navigation is rendered difficult by the presence of numerous flats and banks. The channel, however, is well lighted, and

the more troublesome obstacles are being removed by constant dredging. Wide Bay is situated at the mouth of the Mary River, between Fraser or Great Sandy Island and the mainland. A dangerous shifting bar obstructs the entrance. Hervey Bay is protected by the northern end of Great Sandy Island. Higher up is Port Curtis, with Facing Island opposite it. Keppel Bay is a large inlet, on which the town of Rockhampton is situated, Curtis Island lying at the south. Broadsound is a considerable inlet situated in latitude 22°, the sea near its entrance being dotted with numerous small islands. Port Denison is the harbour of Bowen, and possesses excellent anchorage of from three to five fathoms. Cleveland Bay, on which Townsville is situated, is protected on the south by Cape Cleveland, and on the north by Magnetic Island. The approach is well marked and lighted. Rockingham Bay is a large inlet in latitude 18°, Hinchinbrook Island lying at its southern extremity. Mourilyan Harbour, north of Double Point, has a narrow entrance, but affords excellent anchorage of from four to twelve fathoms. Cooktown is situated on the Endeavour River, and while the entrance to the bay is narrow the port is easily negotiated. Princess Charlotte Bay is a large inlet situated in latitude 14°. Near the head of Cape York Peninsula is situated the harbour of Port Albany. The fortified harbour of Thursday Island, an important place of call for steamers trading to China and Japan, is situated in Torres Strait. In the Gulf of Carpentaria there is a fine harbour at the mouth of the Batavia River, named Port Musgrave. The best anchorage at the head of the Gulf is the Investigator Road.

GENERAL PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.

As is the case in New South Wales, the main features in the relief of Queensland are a coastal belt, a table-land region, and a great interior plain district.

The Great Dividing Range extending northwards from New South Wales enters Queensland territory at Wallangarra. Proceeding northwards to Maryland the range divides, the Herries Range branching off to the north-west, and the Main Range continuing to the northeast for about 40 miles. Here another bifurcation takes place, the Macpherson Range stretching to the sea coast, where it terminates at Point Danger, and the Main Range extending in a general northwesterly and westerly direction for about 35 miles. Another spur here branches off in a seaward direction, while the Main Range extends westerly and then northerly, and with many twists and turns traverses the entire length of the State. Grey Range enters the State at the 142° meridian, and extends northward to Gowan's Range, the Cheviot Range branching off to the westward. In the central districts are the Drummond, Peak and Denham Ranges. Clarke's Range and Leichhardt Range extend northwards in the northern districts nearly parallel to each other. The Boomer Mountains, Broadsound Ranges, and Connor's Range form the coast range nearly to Mackay. From Townsville,

northwards, the coast range is in close proximity to the sea, and is rugged and picturesque in character, while some of the peaks reach a considerable elevation. In the southern coastal district much of the land between the mountains and the sea is very suitable for farming purposes, most of the rivers and creeks running through alluvial soil of great richness. The highest peak in Queensland is Mount Bartle Frere, 5,438 feet. Mount Roberts in the Central district is 4,350 feet in height, and Mount Barney in the Macpherson Range reaches 4,300 feet. In the Coast Ranges the highest points are Wooroonooran, 5,400 feet, in the Bellenden Ker Range, and Mount Dalrymple, 4,200 feet, in the Mackay Range.

The

The rivers of Queensland may be classified into four distinct systems-1. Those flowing eastward into the Pacific. 2. Those which form the head waters of the Darling and its tributaries. 3. Those flowing westward from the Great Dividing Range. 4. Those flowing into the Gulf of Carpentaria. As in the case of New South Wales, the coastal rivers of Queensland flowing into the Pacific Ocean have short rapid courses, and in periods of excessive rainfall are liable to floods. The entrances also are sometimes difficult to negotiate, on account of the presence of sandbars and shoals. Much has been accomplished in the way of getting rid of these disabilities by persistent dredging, and the channels have been artificially deepened; nevertheless, it is only in the tidal waters of these rivers that navigation is possible for ocean-going steamers. In Southern Queensland the principal coastal rivers are the Logan, Brisbane, and Pine, which drain into Moreton Bay; the Caboolture, flowing into Deception Bay; the Mary and Burrum, entering Wide Bay; and the Burnett, Kolan, and Elliott Rivers, which debouch into Hervey Bay. In Central Queensland the Calliope and Boyne Rivers drain into Port Curtis. Fitzroy River is the second in point of size on the eastern coast, and is navigable by deep-sea vessels as far as Rockhampton. The river enters the sea at Keppel Bay, and during its course receives several tributary streams, the principal of which are the Dee, Dawson, Mackenzie, and Isaac Rivers, the total area of its basin being about 55,600 square miles. In Northern Queensland the chief coastal rivers are the Pioneer, entering the sea at Mackay; the Don at Bowen. The Burdekin, which debouches into Upstart Bay, is the finest of Queensland's coastal rivers. Its drainage area covers 53,500 square miles. Numerous tributaries discharge into the main stream, the most important being the Boyne, Bogie, Belyando, Suttor, Cope, Campaspie, Basalt, Clarke, and Star Rivers. Even in the driest seasons the stream, within a few miles of its outlet, carries a large body of fresh water, and this probably prevents the formation of a defined bar close to its mouth. Farther north, the Ross River falls into Cleveland Bay; the Herbert enters the sea at Lucinda Point: the Tully flows into Kennedy Bay; the Moresby into Mourilyan Harbour; the Russell and Mulgrave at Bramston Point; the Barron near Cairns; the Endeavour at Cooktown; the Mosman

The

and Daintree near Port Douglas; the Bloomfield into Weary Bay; the Endeavour at Cooktown; the Normanby into Princess Charlotte Bay; and various small streams higher up in Yorke's Peninsula. celebrated Barron Falls are situated on the Barron River, at the point where the stream descends from the table-land and leaps down a distance of 830 feet to the valley below. The main fall is 370 feet in height.

The rivers rising in the western slopes of the Dividing Range include the Macintyre or Barwon, which receives the Macintyre Brook, and the Dumaresq or Severn, and after crossing the New South Wales border, unites with the Moonie River. The Condamine, or Balonne, rises near Warwick, and after being joined by the Maranoa River, separates into branches, which all become united with the western fluvial system of New South Wales. The Warrego rises in the Warrego Range, and, flowing southerly, joins the Darling. The Paroo and the Bulloo, or Corni Paroo, lie between the Grey Range and the Warrego. These are in reality depressions, along which in seasons of exceptional rainfall a large body of water finds its way into New South Wales southwards towards the Darling. Further west the Victoria, or Barcoo, flows under the name of Cooper's Creek into Lake Eyre, while the Diamantina loses itself in the stony desert to the north-east of that lake.

Several fine navigable streams fall into the Gulf of Carpentaria; but as the northern country round the Gulf is only in the initial stages of development, their capabilities, with the exception of the Norman and Albert Rivers, remain unutilised. Amongst the principal streams debouching into the Gulf are the following:-Batavia, Archer, Colman, Mitchell, Staaten, and Gilbert on the eastern shore; and the Norman, Flinders, Leichhardt, Albert, and Gregory on the southern shore. Much of the country through which these rivers flow is excellently adapted for pastoral purposes, while the mountains in which they have their sources contain mineral treasures, as yet only partially developed. The only lakes worthy of mention in Queensland are Lake Galilee, or Jochimo, and Lake Buchanan. These are situated in Central Queensland, and are both salt. Some of the western rivers flow into salt lakes, but their area is indeterminate, as their volume depends on the rainfall.

For general purposes the State has been divided into twelve districts. A brief description of the characteristics of each division may not be without interest.

The Moreton District occupies the south-eastern portion of the State immediately to the north of New South Wales, and extends inland to the Dividing Range. It is a fertile, well-watered district, drained by the Brisbane, Bremer, and Logan Rivers. Sugar cane and maize are grown and thrive luxuriantly, coal occurs in several localities on the Bremer, and gold is found in the Enoggera Ranges, west of Brisbane.

The Darling Downs District lies immediately to the west of the Moreton District, in the table-land region, and forms one of the richest