Australia

We have been on Australian soil for three days. Sydney is a pleasant town but very dusty. Many streets have familiar, English-sounding names. Goods are very expensive but are of reasonable quality, and meat is fairly cheap so we are not starving.

I have seen some of our fellow passengers since we arrived. They’ve not found work – and some would have returned to Britain on the ship but for the fact it’s already departed. I am tired and sad and can hardly bring myself to think about finding employment.

Arrival

Australia (continued)

Cheap

Some manufactured goods would be imported from Europe, making them more expensive. Foodstuffs like meat were grown locally so were cheaper.

Work

In the booklet ‘Practical Hints to the Australian Emigrant’ by John Willcox, would-be emigrants are warned of the difficulties they will face in Australia. It warns that in the week after landing, nine out of ten people will have all their plans ruined and will have to look for alternative work. Some people went solely for the gold rush but very few made enough money to survive on.

Departed

The ships that travelled to Australia would often return to Europe empty and so stopped at India and China on the return journey. Here they would pick up raw materials like cotton and silk, and foods like tea and spices. Tables, benches and even beds were broken down to make space on the ship.

Some people chose to return to Britain on these boats. Their tickets home were more expensive than their tickets out – partly because food and other supplies were more expensive in Australia.

Illustrations by Nicky Elson

Australia

Cheap

Work

Departed

Illustrations by
Nicky Elson