Chapter II: Preface

This little book aims at giving such general impressions of Australia as could be gleaned during a visit lasting from July into September, and including some time spent in each state. We have tried to convey some idea of the aspect of the country itself, with its brilliant sunshine, great plains and trackless forests; of the social atmosphere of warm-hearted hospitality; of its economic problems and democratic legislative experiments. These last are so essentially Australian, that it seemed impossible to omit some reference to them, but they hardly fall within our scope, and are only lightly touched upon. Figures and facts quoted are taken from official handbooks and pamphlets.

With regard to the illustrations, those of Western Australia were provided by the kindness of Mr. Gibbs, of the Lands Department at Perth, and Mr. L. V. Shapcott, Premier’s Office, Perth, who was good enough to take special photographs for us. For those of South Australia we have to thank Mr. Vaughan of the Lands Department.

At Melbourne the Secretary of the admirably organised Government Tourist Bureau was kind enough to have the views of Victoria specially printed for reproduction. For the views of New South Wales we have to thank the Hon. Dugald Thomson, and for those of Brisbane the Secretary of the Government Tourist Bureau for Queensland. Lastly, our grateful thanks are due to Captain Muirhead Collins, Permanent Secretary of the Australian Commonwealth in London, for his great kindness in reading the proofs and for much valuable criticism.

If _Rambles in Australia_ leads even a few readers to wish for a closer acquaintance with, and a better understanding of, this great country of which we are so ignorant at home, it will not have been written in vain.

CONTENTS

PART I. WESTERN AUSTRALIA
CHAPTER PAGE
I. THE LAND OF THE UNLATCHED DOOR 3
II. FIRST IMPRESSIONS 9
III. PERTH: A PARADISE FOR THE WORKING MAN 20
IV. IN THE BUSH 34
V. AGRICULTURE AND GOLD 51

PART II. SOUTH AUSTRALIA
VI. A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW 73
VII. ADELAIDE 88
VIII. COMPULSORY TRAINING AND SOCIAL LIFE IN ADELAIDE 98

PART III. VICTORIA
IX. COLLINS STREET--MELBOURNE 113
X. SOCIAL LIFE IN MELBOURNE 121
XI. BALLARAT 132
XII. THE BLACK SPUR 146

PART IV. NEW SOUTH WALES
XIII. SYDNEY HARBOUR 165
XIV. SYDNEY AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD 173
XV. THE BLUE MOUNTAINS AND A BUSH PICNIC 186

PART V. QUEENSLAND
XVI. BANANA-LAND 205
XVII. THE BEGINNING OF THE TROPICS 212
XVIII. A DAY IN THE QUEENSLAND BUSH 221
XIX. IN AND ABOUT BRISBANE 230