View of Manly Corso c 1912, with people walking and a tram

Transport in the Past

Learning resources for primary school students studying Human Society and its Environment

How did people get around the cities and country towns of Australia over a hundred years ago? Let's examine our historical photography collection to learn more. The activities and prompts on this page are designed to expand students' ability to look at historical sources, such as photographs, critically.

The Corso Listening Activity

Join one of our education officers as they discuss this historic photograph of Manly Corso.

Download transcript (docx, 531KB)

Historic Modes of Transport

Historic Photograph of "Cavanba" at Byron Bay. — Glass negative, '"Cavanba" at Byron Bay', Photographer: Kerry and Co, New South Wales, 1901-1915. HP83.60.2246

Historical photograph of a steam train at Burwood Railway Station. — Glass negative, 'Railway Station Burwood' Photographer: Kerry and Co, New South Wales, 1890-1915, HP83.60.3016

Historical photograph taken out the front of West Maitland Public School, with a man on a bicycle, a boy pushing a wheel barrow filled with cabbages and two girls — Glass negative, 'Public School W. Maitland ', Photographer: Kerry and Co, New South Wales, 1890-1915, HP83.60.4067

Historical photograph with horses and cart with large metal churns, possibly milk delivery. — Glass negative, '"South Coast Scene" Milton', Photographer: Kerry and Co, New South Wales, 1890-1915, HP83.60.4503

Historic photograph of four people standing in front of an aeroplane c1930 . — Photographic print, 'Aeroplane' , Photographer: G. A. Druce, 1910-1930, HP89.29.22

Historic photograph of street scene near Baltic Wharf — Glass negative, [Street scene near Baltic Wharf], Photographer: JSP Ramsay, Sydney, c. 1912. HP84.52.923

Historic photograph of woman, child and cameleer on a camel, Wilcannia. — Postcard, [Woman and child on a camel, with cameleer], Photograher: G. Young, Wilcannia, NSW, 1908. HP80.40.230

Historic photograph of tall ship The Vincennes beached. — Glass negative, [The Vincennes beached], Photographer: C S Harnett, 1910. HP85.9.57

Historic photograph of family taking country outing in a horse and buggy. — Glass negative, [Country outing in a horse and buggy], Photographer: GH Hawkins, 1910-1940. HP88.21.468

Historic photograph of Steam ferries on Sydney harbour. — Photographic print, [Steam ferries on the harbour], Photographer G A Druce, Sydney, 1900-1923. HP89.29.17

Historic photograph of Firemen and truck outside a fire station — Glass negative, [Firemen and truck outside a fire station], Photographer: J G Park, Sydney, 1900-1930. HP80.49.36

Historic photograph of 3 children riding a horse to school — Photographic print, [Three children on a horse riding to school], Photographer: Unknown, early 20th century. HP83.47.22

Historic photograph of two men on a motorcycle, one in the sidecar. — Postcard, [Two men on a motorcycle and sidecar], Photographer: W. G. Parker, 1913. HP80.40.9

Let's look at these modes of transport

How many different kinds of transport can you see in the pictures?
How fast (or slow) do you think each kind of transport would be? Would they be a comfortable way to get around?
Have you ever been on a steam train or sailing boat? What was different to modern trains or motor boats?
The Sydney Harbour Bridge wasn't completed until early 1932, how do you think people crossed the harbour before then?
Do you think a car would have been more expensive to purchase than a horse and cart? Which one would be more expensive to maintain?
The ship "Cavanba" regularly travelled between Byron Bay and Sydney transporting people and goods, what would be the fastest way to get to Byron today?
How do you get to school? How do you think children in the past got to school?
This camel and camel herder probably came from central Asia or the middle east, one of 1000s who came to work in Australia's desert regions from the 1860s onwards. Why do you think camels were more suited to these areas than horses or early motor cars?
Look at the people in these pictures and then think about the makeup of our modern Australian society, who is missing from these pictures?

Download Driving into History (pdf, 496KB).

Extension Activity

A view of Circular Quay, Sydney prior to 1930 — Photographic print, [Circular Quay Sydney], Photographer: J. G. Park, Sydney, c. 1900-1930

This photograph looks out over Sydney's Circular Quay and was taken before 1930. There are some famous landmarks that are missing from the picture. Using the observational skills you have learned through the activities on this page, research current pictures of Circular Quay and see how many differences you can spot.

Featured image (top of the page): Glass negative, The Corso Manly, Photographer: Kerry and Co, New South Wales, c.1912 (detail)

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