In December 1948, the Volendam was the first ship to set
sail from Rotterdam with assisted passage migrants.
This was followed by many other ships and planes up
until the early seventies.

BY SEA

‘From Cape Town to Fremantle… well, that took ages. I was like a little kid on a car trip with Mum and Dad, saying: “Are we there yet?”, except it was: “Is that land?”. I just couldn’t wait to get my feet on land.’

HENK WOLSWINKEL, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, 1957

Groote Beer, Zuiderkruis, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, Nelly, Sibajak, Skaubryn and the Waterman, to name a few, were all vessels bringing thousands of migrants from the Netherlands to Australia. The early migrant ships were often far from luxurious, causing some people to disembark at the earliest opportunity on arrival at Australia. Comfort on the ships improved under the competitive pressure of air travel.

_{Passenger lists in the National Archives}

BY AIR

‘The family tickets, carried by father, made a wad half an inch thick. They cost about £1250 [$74,500 now]. After proudly pointing out the big wooden boxes of luggage and the heavy bike, Mr van Denbosch took the plans for his home out of his briefcase and showed it around. The house, prefabricated, is on its way by sea.’

THE NEWCASTLE SUN, 24 MARCH 1951

Following the fall of Singapore many people were evacuated from the Dutch East Indies. Not less than 57 aircraft made their way to Australia in a fortnight. Aside from this, flying was still very expensive, making the boat the most important means of transport for migration from the Netherlands. It wasn’t until the early sixties that travelling by airplane became increasingly affordable, reducing travelling time to a few days.

_{Passenger lists in the National Archives}

• • • • • • • • • • • •