Australian Passenger Lists 1899-1954

Passenger Lists from 1899-1954 available from the GG Archives from Australia. Organized by Date of Departure, Steamship Line, Steamship or Ocean Liner, Class of Passengers, Route, and the Ship's Captain.

Includes passenger lists, Cost of Passage (1917), and Summary of Services (with Rates) by Steamship Line Serving Australia and New Zealand.

How One Gets to Australia. Reliable Information Specially Revised by the Shipping Companies for This Publication. Australia To-Day: Special Number of "The Australasian Traveller," Melbourne: The United Commercial Travellers Association of Australasia Limited (1918) 21 November 1917. GGA Image ID # 21f36f0b4c

How One Gets to Australia

What it costs the Emigrant or Tourist to reach his destination with Ports of Call, Offices, Etc.

Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co.

Royal mall steamers of the “P and O." leave Tilbury Docks, near London, every alternate week for Fremantle. Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, touching at Gibraltar. Marseilles, Port Said, Aden, and Colombo en route. Steamers carry only First and Second saloon passengers.

Fares to:

• Fremantle: First saloon, £70, £76, £82; Second saloon, £42, £44, £46
• Adelaide: First saloon. £72. £78, £84; snloon, £44, £46, £48
• Melbourne: First saloon, £74. £80, £86; Second saloon, £46, £48, £50
• Sydney: First saloon, £76, £8*2, £88; Second saloon, £48, £50, £52
• Brisbane : First saloon. £78, £84, £90; Second saloon, £50. £52, £54
• Hobart or Launceston: First saloon. £74. £80, £86; Second saloon, £46. £48, £50
• New Zealand Ports: First saloon, £78, £84. £90; Second saloon, £50, £52, £54

Children (above three years and under twelve), one-half fare.

One child (under three years, if with parent), free, no berth provided. Should any more than one child under three years be conveyed, one quarter fare will be charged for each additional one.

Head Office—122 Leadenhall-street. London. K.C.; branch at Northumberland Avenue, E.C.

P. and O. Branch Service.

All one-class steamers from London to Capetown. Adelaide. Melbourne. and Sydney.

SPECIAL TERMS TO EMIGRANTS TO AUSTRALIA.

At present the service is practically suspended, as the passenger steamers have been requisitioned.

Head Office—P. and O. Branch Service, 32 Limestrcet. London, E.C.

Orient Line of Royal Mail Steamers.

Ports of Call.—Brisbane, Sydney. Melbourne. Adelaide, Fremantle, Durban. Capetown, Plymouth, and London.

Fares

• First saloon from Sydney, single. £76, £82, or £88 (according to the berth required);
• Second saloon from Sydney, single, £48, £50, or £52 (according to berth required);
• Third class, £21, £23, and £25
• Return tickets saloon, £132 and £78; Third class, £37 4s„ £40 16s., and £44 8s

Excursion fares on Australian coast.

Head Offices: Australia 2. 4, 6 Spring-street. Sydney; Branch Offices at Melbourne. Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Fremantle. England-- 13 Fenchurch Avenue, London. E.C.

Federal and Shire Lines.

The steamers of the above lines leave London and Liverpool for Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, via South Africa. Only two classes of passengers are carried.

Fares on application to London Offices.

The London Offices Birt, Potter and Hughes Ltd, 3 Fenchurch Avenue; and Turnbull, Martin and Co, 112 Fenchurch-street.

Shaw, Savill, and Albion Line.

Steamers leave London for Hobart and New Zealand ports at intervals of four weeks, calling at Plymouth. Teneriffe, Capetown, Hobart, and Wellington; on the homeward voyage they sail from Wellington, calling at Sydney and Capetown, for London.

Fares:

• From Melbourne and Sydney to London—First class, £68 upwards; Second, £45 upwards; Third. £22 upwards
• To Capetown First Class. £35 upwards; Second, £25 upwards; Third, £14 upwards

London Office—Shaw. Sovlll and Albion Co. Ltd, 34 Leadenhall-street, London, E.C. Australian Agents: Dalgety and Co. Ltd.

Holt’s Blue Funnel Line.

All one-class (saloon) steamers to Capetown, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.

At present time service is practically suspended, as the passenger steamers have been requisitioned.

Head Office—Alfred Holt and Co, Water-street. Liverpool.

Aberdeen Line.

From Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Launceston Hobart, and Fremantle.

Fares

Saloon:

• To Teneriffe, Plymouth, and London—Single, from £45 Return, £81; Servants Single. £36;
• Return, £64. Natal and Capetown Single, from £30; Return (from Capetown), £55

Third Class:

• To Durban and Capetown—Single. £13 13s. to £17 17s.;
• Return (from Capetown), £21 10s. to £25 10s
• To Teneriffe, Plymouth, and London—Single £20 to £25;
• Return, from £35 8s. to £44 8s

Special terms to emigrants.

Head Office—Messrs. George Thompson and Co. Ltd, 7 Billiter Square London, E.C. Australasian Agents—Dalgety and Co. Ltd.

White Star Line.

One class only; passengers thus offered unrivalled urcommodations at extremely moderate rates. Steamers leave Liverpool at intervals of four weeks, calling, on the outward voyage, at Capetown, Albany, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, and, on the homeward voyage, Brisbane (generally), Sydney, Melbourne, Albany, Durban. Capetown, Plymouth and London.

The fares range from £15 15s. to £27 11s. to South Africa and from £23 to £39 to England, according to the accommodation provided.

Head Office—St. James'-street, Liverpool. Australasian Agents-Dalgcty and Co. Ltd.

Union Steamship Company of New Zealand.

London Office—Charing Cross, Trafalgar Square. Passengers may book through from London via Canadian Paciflc Railway, Vancouver and the Paciflc Ocean, to Sydney, Melbourne, and all ports within the Commonwealth, or to Auckland, transhipping there for other New Zealand ports.

Fares

• Liverpool to Melbourne—First class, from £74 15s. second class, from £50 17s
• From Liverpool via San Francisco, Tahit (Society Islands), Rarotonga (Cook Islands), to Wellington (N.Z.), or to Sydney, £71 10s.; Second class, £48 15s

Compagnie Des Messageries Maritimes.

French Mail Steamships.

Owing to the War. the running of the M.M. Co.'s regular mail line to Australia is interrupted. The Company has. however, intermediate steamers, with accommodation for passengers, leaving Marseilles for Australlan ports as circumstances permit. When the mail services start again the steamers will be of increased tonnage, coming via Torres Straits calling at Batavia on the way, then Brisbane and Sydney.

Rates and full particulars and dates of occasional sailings to Australia may be obtaind
from the Co.’s Offices—72-75 Fenchurch-street, London, E.C.; 1 Rue Vignun, Paris; 3 Place Sadi-Carnot, Marseilles.

United States Line.

Oceanic Steamship Company.

The service of this Co. from San Francisco to Sydney, via Pacific Ports, completes the chain by which the passenger may travel from Great Britain to Australia by way of the United States of America. The route enables the entire trip from London to Sydney to be made in 29 days. All arrangements for the through journey may be conveniently fixed at the London Office of the Co, situated at No. 7 Charing Cross.

An advantage claimed by the Oceanic Co. for their route is that it avoids the extremes of heat and cold.

Fares from London to Sydney vary from £36 16s. 4d. to £72 8s. 4d, and from San Francisco to Sydney from £18 10s. to £45.

Special Emigrants' Rates, Apply To Agents-General (See Index).

"How One Gets To Australia," in Australia To-Day: Special Number of "The Australasian Traveller," Melbourne: The United Commercial Travellers Association of Australasia Limited (1918) 21 November 1917, P. 32

Recap and Summary of the Australian Passenger Lists (1899-1954)

The GG Archives' collection of Australian Passenger Lists (1899-1954) offers an in-depth look at maritime travel to and from Australia during the golden age of ocean liners. Covering over five decades, these records document emigration, trade, tourism, and post-war reconstruction, providing valuable insight into the passengers and shipping lines that played a role in shaping Australia’s connectivity with the world.

The collection is organized by date of departure, steamship line, vessel name, passenger class, route, and ship's captain, offering a detailed snapshot of international maritime travel. In addition to the passenger lists, the collection includes cost of passage (1917), summaries of steamship services, and emigrant fare details, making it a rich resource for maritime historians, genealogists, and researchers.

 

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Highlighting the Most Interesting Passenger Lists

Among the voyages recorded, several stand out due to their historical context, route complexity, and significance in global migration and trade.

 

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1. The 28 April 1899 Voyage – One of the Earliest Voyages from London to Australia

• Ship: RMS Orient (Orient Line)
• Route: London (Tilbury) to Australian Ports (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Albany) via Plymouth
• Commander: Lt. A. T. Pritchard, R.N.R.
• Passenger Class: Cabin

🔹 Why It Stands Out:
This voyage represents the late 19th-century migration boom to Australia, as Britain encouraged settlement and economic expansion in its dominion. The Orient Line was a premier passenger service for migrants, businesspeople, and government officials, ensuring safe and relatively comfortable travel for those embarking on a long-haul voyage to Australia.

 

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2. The 13 August 1925 Voyage – A First-Class Experience to Australia

• Ship: TSS Sophocles (Aberdeen Line)
• Route: United Kingdom to Australia via Albany, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane
• Commander: Captain A. Ogilvy
• Passenger Class: First Class

🔹 Why It Stands Out:
This voyage catered to high-society travelers and business elites, as the First-Class designation indicates a luxurious experience with superior accommodations. The Aberdeen Line was known for carrying professionals, government officials, and affluent families traveling between the UK and Australia for business and colonial administration.

 

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3. The 16 January 1926 Voyage – A Return Journey via South Africa

• Ship: TSS Demosthenes (Aberdeen Line)
• Route: Australia to the United Kingdom via South Africa and Spain
• Commander: Captain F. A. Orriss
• Passenger Class: Saloon

🔹 Why It Stands Out:
Unlike other direct voyages, this unique return journey via South Africa and Spain highlights the strategic maritime routes used for both passengers and cargo. Durban, Cape Town, and Tenerife were key refueling and trade stops, making this route an important part of the global shipping and immigration network.

 

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4. The 30 December 1947 Voyage – Post-War Migration and Rebuilding

• Ship: RMS Orion (Orient Line)
• Route: London (Tilbury) to Sydney via Aden, Colombo, Port Said, Fremantle, and Melbourne
• Commander: Captain C. Fox, C.B.E.
• Passenger Class: Cabin

🔹 Why It Stands Out:
This voyage took place just two years after World War II, marking the beginning of post-war migration and reconstruction. Thousands of British citizens sought a fresh start in Australia, and the Orient Line played a crucial role in transporting migrants, skilled workers, and families looking to rebuild their lives.

 

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5. The 7 February 1948 Voyage – A Prestigious First-Class Journey

• Ship: RMS Orion (Orient Line)
• Route: Sydney to Southampton via Melbourne, Fremantle, Colombo, Aden, and Port Said
• Commander: Captain C. Fox, C.B.E.
• Passenger Class: First Saloon

🔹 Why It Stands Out:
This voyage highlights the continued demand for elite sea travel, even in the aftermath of war. The First Saloon class was the highest-tier accommodation, indicating a passenger list composed of wealthy travelers, government officials, and possibly returning British administrators from Australia.

 

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6. The 24 August 1954 Voyage – A High-Society Experience on the P&O Strathmore

• Ship: RMS Strathmore (P&O Line)
• Route: London to Sydney via Port Said, Bombay (Mumbai), Colombo, Fremantle, Adelaide, and Melbourne
• Commander: Captain A. G. Jenkins
• Passenger Class: First Class

🔹 Why It Stands Out:
This luxury voyage on the Peninsular & Oriental (P&O) Line highlights the enduring appeal of ocean liners for affluent travelers post-WWII. With stops in India and Ceylon (Sri Lanka), this was also a favored route for British colonial families and business magnates returning to Australia or managing affairs in the Commonwealth.

 

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7. The 8 October 1954 Voyage – A Transpacific Route from Vancouver

• Ship: RMS Orion (Orient Line)
• Route: Vancouver BC to Sydney via San Francisco, Honolulu, Suva (Fiji), and Auckland
• Commander: Captain A. E. Coles, R.D., R.N.R.
• Passenger Class: Tourist Class

🔹 Why It Stands Out:
Unlike the traditional UK-Australia routes, this voyage followed a North America–Australia transpacific route, catering to migrants, tourists, and business travelers from Canada and the U.S.. The inclusion of Honolulu and Fiji makes this a scenic and strategic journey, emphasizing the growing importance of the Pacific region in global travel and commerce.

 

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Additional Historical Resources in the Collection

Aside from the passenger lists, the collection includes details on fare structures, special emigration rates, and summaries of services from major steamship companies operating between Australia and Europe, South Africa, North America, and Asia.

Key Features of These Historical Documents:

✔ Fare Data (1917) – Provides an authentic look at ticket costs for different passenger classes, showing how ocean travel was priced during the early 20th century.
✔ Emigration Information – Details on special terms for emigrants, reflecting government-sponsored migration programs.
✔ Steamship Line Services – Outlines the major companies operating to and from Australia, including P&O, Orient Line, White Star Line, and Aberdeen Line.
✔ Global Port Networks – Showcases the importance of Port Said, Colombo, Cape Town, Honolulu, and other major transit points for Australian maritime travel.

 

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Final Thoughts

The GG Archives’ Australian Passenger Lists (1899-1954) offer a compelling glimpse into the maritime history of Australia, highlighting the evolution of global sea travel, emigration waves, and luxury voyages. Whether through early 20th-century migration, wartime displacement, or post-war reconstruction, these records provide a detailed narrative of Australia’s maritime connections to the world.

For historians, genealogists, and ocean liner enthusiasts, these documents serve as a vital resource for tracing personal and global histories, preserving the stories of thousands who crossed the seas to and from Australia.