Picture Trails: Archived picture trails
Art & culture
Geography & Environment
History & society
Sport & physical education
Archived picture trails
Antarctic exploration
The Antarctic has been an object of Australian exploration for many years.
Go 'South' with our polar explorers and researchers to marvel at the beauty and the hardships of Antartica.
Australian authors
Looking for photographs, paintings and drawings of your favorite authors.Take a look at the faces behind the books and literature of our country in the Australian authors trail.
Australian images in Timeframes
This trail shows images relating to Australia that are held at the National Library of New Zealand. These images are now available through Picture Australia, as well as through the National Library of New Zealand's online image service, Timeframes
Ballets Russes
The glamorous dancers of the Ballets Russes visited Australia between 1936 and 1940 and were regarded as the greatest ballet troupe of the time.
More information about the Ballets Russes is available from the PROMPT collection at the National Library of Australia and on the Australia Dancing website.
Birds of Australia
Australia has a wide and wonderful variety of birds. Recording them has long been a goal of artists and illustrators with some very beautiful results.
Burke and Wills exploring Australia
Two of Australia's intrepid explorers, Burke and Wills, set out to find a route to the northern coast of the continent via the arid centre. Images depicting their amazing journey are shown in this trail.
By Rail
Take a journey by rail through a selection of Picture Australia images highlighting the history of Australia's railways.
To find out more information on this topic visit the links page of The Australian Railway Historical Society's (ACT Division) or try the Powerhouse Museum.
By Road
Covering different eras, uses and models, this trail highlights images relating to Australia's motoring history. Glimpse images of Australia's most popular mode of transport, the motor car.
For more information try the National Motor Museum or visit the Powerhouse Museum
Colonial art
With European settlement came many accomplished artists (and forgers!) who painted their way into Australian history.
Forests and logging
Celebrating the initiative of the early pioneers, the forests and logging trail illustrates how foundations were laid for the development and management of the forest and parks industries.
Freshwater
Explore the ways we use freshwater, animals that live in freshwater and scenic images of freshwater in Australia.
Images of early Brisbane
Photographs of early Brisbane show that floods were rife. Notwithstanding, a beautiful town was emerging.
Inspirational Australian women
View highlights that show the role women have played in the development of Australian society. From theatre and the arts, to politics and the sciences, Australian women have provided inspiration to many.
Additional information can be found at Women's History Month and the National Foundation for Australian Women
Magic, oddities and travelling shows
View interesting images of oddities of nature and the circus world, and personalities of theatre and magic.
Multicultural Australia
Australians come from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Well over 25 percent of Australians were born overseas. Over 200 languages are spoken. Our cosmopolitan national outlook is reflected in the way we dress, in the food we eat and in the traditions we maintain.
Music
The Music trail is a fascinating visual record of Australia's musical heritage. Discover music and musicians ranging from traditional indigenous forms through to folk and western art music, and the latest popular artists.
Find out more on Australian music and musicians at the Music Australia website.
Musical Belles
Celebrate the immense contribution made by women of all ages to the ever changing sound of music!
You can find more Musical Belles at the Women’s History Month website and also through Music Australia
National Parks
There are more than 540 national parks in Australia. They are managed by Commonwealth and State agencies for their high-level conservation values including indigenous plant and animal species and cultural heritage.
View images of the natural environment protected in these parks.
New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand have long had a close relationship. Our history has been linked from the early days of Australasian exploration through to the military history of the Anzac's and beyond.
Political Cartoons
Although often humorous and satirical, political cartoons are valuable resources in providing commentary on social and political issues. Re-discover past political events, personalities and issues in the Political Cartoons trail.
For more information on the history of Australian political cartooning and political cartooning in general see Australian Political Cartooning - A Rich Tradition.
Realia
From a convict's outfit to scrimshaw carvings and emu eggs. Realia includes objects that you might not realise even exist.
Social dance
Follow our Social Dance trail and discover the styles and fashion of social dance in Australia from the 1880s to the present day. From the ballroom to the nightclub, these images capture our exuberance for all forms of dance.
More information about social dance is available from the Australia Dancing website.
The Heidelberg School
The Heidelberg School of painters flourished in Victoria from the 1890s.These artists painted in plein-air to capture something of the essence of the Australian landscape.
You can also visit ‘In the Artist's Footsteps’, a web site about the lives and works of Australian Artists, in particular, the Heidelberg School.
The Year of the Outback
Take a look at life in some of Australia's most remote places.
Whitlam Dismissal
On the 11 November 1975, Gough Whitlam was dismissed as Prime Minister representing one of the most dramatic moments in Australia’s political history.
Witness for yourself the highs and lows of Gough Whitlam’s political career, his dismissal and the legacy that remains.
Women and Dance
Across the decades women and girls from all walks of life have enjoyed the pleasures of dancing. Follow the Women and Dance trail for some persuasive and surprising dancing moments.
More information about women and dancing is available from the Australia Dancing website.