Half a world away from us lies the interesting land known as Australia, the Island Continent. The story of Australia—from its beginnings to the present day—is an exciting one, yet it is little known by most people.

In this fascinating book the author tells about Australia's earliest inhabitants, the primitive tribes with their myths and legends; the daring Dutch and English explorers; the first settlers and adventurous pioneers; and the vast herds of sheep that roamed the land. The pages of Australia's history are filled also with colorful people; courageous Captain Sturt who explored the rivers and mapped out the land; selfless Caroline Chisholm who worked to improve the terrible conditions of the immigrants; Thomas Mort, the inventor of the freezing method of preserving meat for export; William Farrer, who cross-bred wheat to feed the hungry world; and Matthew Brady, who made banditry a fashion.

The Story of Australia is a lively account of the colonists, explorers, gold miners, outlaws, homesteaders and inventors who successfully met the challenge of vast spaces and forged a nation on the Island Continent.

From the dust jacket