You've reached a useful resource, the journals of the great European explorers of the Australian continent.
The early settlers were hemmed in by the Great Dividing Range, not only in the Sydney area but right along the eastern coast, confined to the coastal fringe which varies between about 40km to 100km wide.
As the new arrivals spread to other coastal areas by sea, again they found themselves confined to the coastal fringe by the harsh, arid conditions of much of the Australian interior.
In Australian Explorers, you'll find the stories of courage, determination, success and tragedy, written in the original words of these great men.