HOME > Online Exhibitions
S.S. City of Adelaide

George Frederick Gregory (c. 1815–1887)
S.S. City of Adelaide 1866
watercolour; 59.8 x 85.5 cm
nla.pic-an5944942

ALL ABOARD

Boats were indispensable during the early years of European settlement. The rugged terrain surrounding the Port Jackson colony made boats a natural choice for coastal exploration. Once fertile land had been discovered and settled—for example at present-day Parramatta and Windsor—colonists travelled there by water until roads could be cut through the dense bush.

Coastal shipping, often using small steamers, provided an essential means of transport around Australia before major roads were built. Inland, paddle-steamers carried people, and goods like wool, wheat and timber, along extensive watercourses such as the Murray and Darling rivers.

Water travel in Australia has been pleasurable as well as practical. Boating has offered us a break from our land-based routine, affording opportunity to fish, sail, or simply enjoy being out on the water.