Governor Phillip, in 1789, reached Richmond by way of the Hawkesbury.

Later in the same year, and in the next, further efforts were made, but the investigators were beaten by the stern and shaggy hills.

Captain William Paterson, in 1793, organized an attacking party, consisting largely of Scottish highlanders, hoping that their native skill and resolution would find a path across the barrier; but they proceeded by boat only, and did not go far.

In the following year quartermaster Hacking, with a party of hardy men, spent ten days among the mountains, but no path or pass practicable for traffic rewarded his endeavours.

Sydney was shut in between the sea and this craggy rampart.