30th September.
We made an early start up the river, and at three miles struck out into
the plains to the westward, where we found a large extent of open flat,
yielding grass and atriplex, and timbered in many parts with
flooded-gums. At ten miles we came upon a deep reach of water flowing to
the north-west, which must empty itself into the sea four or five miles
to the south-west of Spit Point, forming an island of a portion of the
delta of the DeGrey, containing between 90,000 and 100,000 acres of
alluvial land. This channel was followed up, and found to come from the
river, close to the junction of the Strelley, and must be a very
considerable outlet for the water during the summer rains. I regretted
much not having time to trace this branch of the DeGrey to its mouth, as
it might be found to be navigable, and afford a fine site for a seaport
town. Fresh water is abundant, and building stone procurable in any
quantity being found in the immediate vicinity on land superior to
inundation. We remained at the junction the rest of the day. Camp 92.