by 1833 alexander had taken up 1,280 acres (518 hectares) on the bredalbane plains. peter and george took up land at twofold bay in southern new south wales near what is now eden. they operated in the region as pastoralists, whalers, and shipbuilders, and produced casks of tallow and salted meat. the remoteness of the area and the lack of roads meant transport and communication was generally by sea.