The Australian Gold Rush Era

Australia’s warm climate and relaxed attitude attracts millions of people every year, both for travel and long-term migration. In fact, the first recorded mass migration took place at the start of the Australian Gold Rush Era.

Beginning in 1851, the Australian Gold Rush attracted millions of people from across Europe and China. During the next decade Australia saw its population multiply threefold; paving the way for the growing migration of ex-pats who would eventually make up a major percentage of modern Australia.

While the Gold Rush was attracting visitors seeking their fortunes, the British Government was exporting convicts to Australia in response to the overcrowded prisons. Since the Australian governments were looking to expand their population, a scheme was arranged whereby Britain would supply criminals as labourers to Australia. Over the course of the scheme more than 165,000 convicts were sent over to Australia.

Britain’s colonial grasp of Australia meant at the same time, a large number of people from the UK and Ireland went over in search of ‘free land’. The free land was owned by the crown; however, it was not monitored which gave British and Irish people the opportunity to start a new life as Australian farmers. The opportunity this land provided proved so popular that eventually Australia cut schemes to accept convicts and began to put up restrictions on entering the country.

After WWII, Australia was once again met with a need for a larger population. Understanding that Australia must ‘populate or perish’, schemes were set up whereby Britons could buy tickets to a new life in Australia at a relatively low cost. As such, 1.5 million Britons followed up on the offer and after several weeks at sea landed on the Australian coast to begin their new lives. Of all those who went over to Australia, only 250,000 returned to the UK with half of those eventually returning back to Australia again.

Unfortunately for those looking to migrate to Australia today, there are no longer such low cost schemes available. In fact, moving to Australia permanently is now quite difficult and so long-term holidays and working visas are becoming popular. The Australian tourist board is now promoting tourism as opposed to migration, by focussing on adverts which promote its relaxed attitude and warm climate; this has managed to boost tourism, whilst also increasing the interest in working visas.

Unlike in the days of the Gold Rush Era, today it is easy to keep in contact with friends and family who make the move down under. Indeed, cheap calls to Australia, emails and improved travel services have become available in recent years to enable many to stay in touch with close friends and family who are living abroad.

Throughout the years Australia has attracted visitors through a wide number of schemes. From gold diggers and convicts to farmers and backpackers, Australia clearly has an allure with all of us; and its warm climate and relaxed attitude will continue to entice many in the future.

Paul McIndoe writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.