Hovell had little bush experience, but had great experience as a navigator.
As a retired sea captain, Hovell settled at Narellan in New South Wales.
He accompanied Hamilton Hume on the famous journey of exploration south to Port Phillip and shared a part of the cost of the expedition.
His part in this expedition was often put down and he and Hume eventually had a falling out over it, remaining on bad terms despite the fact that Hovell's part in the journey was important to its success.