Title

North Head of Port Jackson [lithograph by Augustus Earle].

Author

Earle, Augustus

Details

Augustus Earle: Views in New South Wales, Sydney, 1825

Publication date

1825

Type

About the work

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

NORTH HEAD OF PORT JACKSON.

AFTER making the land in the neighbourhood of Port Jackson, the coast has a most frightful, rugged, and iron-bound aspect; huge cliff’s rising several hundred feet perpendicular, and in many places actually overhanging, seem sufficient to deter Navigators from approaching it; and even the experienced eye of Captain cook did not discover the beautiful Port concealed within. It has been compared (not unaptly) to a huge gateway; but however unpromising the entrance may be, vessels bound to Sydney, are soon wafted into perfect security.

Having entered the Heads, the beautiful change of scenery is gratifying after the long, dreary, and monotonous voyage from Europe. The Harbour of Port Jackson has long been considered one of the finest in the world, protected from every wind, filled with numerous beautiful coves, and a depth of water sufficient for any vessel (not only to enter) but lay alongside the rocks.

Vessels bound here from Europe, are generally boarded between the North and South Head by one of the Pilots, whose Cottages are delightfully situated just within, on the south shore; for a dangerous cluster of Rocks, called the Sow and Pigs, are placed at mid channel, and it is not considered safe to venture past without a Pilot; but having once entered the Heads, if no Pilot is seen, or should it be night, a vessel may drop her anchor wherever she pleases. The North Head of Port Jackson is situated in lat. 33, 48, S., long. 151, 23, E.

[Accompanying text, Augustus Earle: Views in New South Wales, Sydney, 1825.]