Page:Cyclopedia of Western Australia, volume 1.pdf/26

The knowledge that Western Australia possesses any scenery worth description will probably come as a surprise to everyone outside the State and, indeed, to many within its borders. The opinion so generally expressed by the early navigators who visited the coast that it was a land of sand, sterility, and desolation seems to have become so fixed in the general mind that to dislodge it is an almost superhuman task. The statement of M. Arago at the beginning of the nineteenth century that the

coast exhibited nothing but a picture of desolation; no rivulet consoled the eye, по tree attracted it, no mountain gave variety to the landscape, no dwelling enlivened it; everywhere reigned sterility and death. … At the first view you take in an immense distance, but beware of looking for any enjoyment; the search would be merely wasting your strength, without finding the least relief

is merely in slightly different language the description that one and all applied to the country—a description that one and all applied to the country—a description that seems to have been accepted until very recently almost as an article of faith.

Yet how untrue it is. Certainly we can not boast of snow-capped mountains, of deep ravines with clustering ferns, of mighty waterfalls or broad majestic rivers; but the light and shade of hill and dale, the iridescent blue of an almost perfect atmosphere, the stern and rugged coastline with intermediate stretches of glistening beach, and, above all, those marvellous jewel houses of Nature, the South-West Caves, are our glory and our pride.

If views are wanted, gaze upon the panorama of the Swan unveiled before us from the summit of Mount Eliza, upon the wonderful bird's-eye view of King George Sound, or upon the forbidding face of Cape Leeuwin, where the icy current of the Antarctic meets the warming glow of the Indian Ocean in riotous and never-ceasing tumult.

In and around Perth itself there is much that not only delights the eye of the visitor, but caters for the pleasure and enjoyment of the citizens. The capital of Western Australia is in many ways more fortunately situated than any other chief city in the Commonwealth. Sydney, indeed, possesses her wonderful harbour, but Perth can lay equal claim to beauty in her noble and commanding river, the broad stretches of which below the city are unsurpassed for all forms of aquatic sports. How deeply appreciated these are may be seen from a view at any time during the season, when the myriads of yachts make so charming a scene upon the wide expanse of water. Above the city too, in the higher reaches extending into the hills, are spots peculiarly favoured by Nature, scenes of sylvan beauty and of a profusion of delightful flowers that have not yet gained the attention they deserve. They only await that facility of access which ought to be one of the first efforts of the newly-formed Tourist Department.

Within easy approach of the capital, Rottnest, Mandurah, and Bunbury have many attractions for those who delight to be near the sea, while nearer still the beach at Cottesloe offers to the jaded worker from the city all the pleasures of a seaside resort.

For folk who love the sea and yet desire a cooler