overlander

n.

1) In the days beforerailways, and when much of the intervening country was nottaken up, to travel between Sydney and Melbourne, or Melbourneand Adelaide, was difficult if not dangerous. Those who madeeither journey were called Overlanders. In this sensethe word is now only used historically, but it retains themeaning in the general case of a man taking cattle a longdistance, as from one colony to another.

2) A slang name for a Sundowner (q.v.).

1843. Rev. W. Pridden, `Australia: Its History and PresentCondition,' p. 335:

«Among the beings which, although not natives of the bush,appear to be peculiar to the wilds of Australia, the class ofmen called Overlanders must not be omitted. Their occupationis to convey stock from market to market, and from one colonyto another.»

1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discovery in Australia,' vol. ii. c.vi. p. 237:

«The Eastern extent of the country of South Australia wasdetermined by the overlanders, as they call the gentlemenwho bring stock from New South Wales.»

1880. Garnet Walch, `Victoria in 1880,' p. 11:

«Overlanders from Sydney and Melbourne to Adelaide were makinggreat sums of money.»

1884. Rolf Boldrewood, `Melbourne Memories,' c. ix. p. 69:

«He gave us the advice of an experienced overlander.»

1880. A. J. Vogan, `Black Police,' p. 262:

«An `overlander,' – – for, as you havn't any of the breed in NewZealand, I'll explain what that is, – – is Queensland-English fora long-distance drover; and a rough, hard life it generally is.. . . Cattle have to be taken long distances to marketsometimes from these `up-country' runs.»

1890. `Melbourne Argus,' June 7, p. 4, col. 1:

«Then came overlanders of another sort – – practical men who wentout to develop and not to explore.»