The Story of Australia

A portrait of what makes Australia unique.

Wool drives the colonies' expansion. For some convicts Australia becomes a land of opportunity. Caroline Chisholm saves vulnerable young women. Gold rushes spark population and wealth explosions. An incredible journey wires Australia to the world and new leisure time encourages a unique football code. Gold miners fight and die for their rights against the deadliest army in the world.

The Birth of the Bushranger and Australia's love affair with rogues; Opera star Nellie Melba launches Australia on the world's great stages; the Fight for a Fair Go; and in World War One, Australian submarine AE2 changes the course of the Gallipoli campaign, Sniper Billy Sing allows himself to become a target to protect his mates and a daring letter will saves thousands of lives.

In WW2 Australians fight to defend their continent. In the peace an Australian-made car changes lives. Finding an iron ore mother-load changes the economy. The Snowy Mountains scheme powers a new Australia and its migrant builders alter the face of the country. The Sydney Opera House reshapes the nation's identity. After a killer storm Ella Stack transforms how Australians live in the North.

In WW1 nurse Alicia Kelly helps transform emergency medicine at the front line; Pompey Elliot breaks the stalemate of trench warfare. Charles Kingsford Smith is first to fly across the Pacific. Despite the Great Depression, Australians build the ambitious, elegant Sydney Harbour Bridge; racehorse Phar Lap carries the hopes of the nation.

Desmond Duke fights cops for the right to dance. Surfer Midget Farrelly battles for freedom on the waves. Advertising genius John Singleton celebrates the Australian Voice. Elaine Moir saves hundreds of babies. Paul Hogan enthralls the world as Crocodile Dundee. Australia's bionic ear gives hearing to millions. Australians consider how far they have come - and how much further they may go.