When Edward Hargraves discovered gold in Australia in 1851, he started the world's biggest gold rush. Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world made the trip to find fame and fortune - 370,000 arrived in 1852 alone, and Australia's population grew rapidly. Many people left from Bristol, sharing their ships with cargoes of prefabricated iron buildings for the rapidly-growing towns.

Bristol people have traded with Australia and New Zealand since the mid- 1800s. As well as carrying emigrants and building materials outward, ships brought home food and metal ores. During the 1900s, refrigerated ships imported frozen meats to a special store at Avonmouth, as well as butter and fruit. There is still trade with Australia and New Zealand through Avonmouth: todays's containerised cargoes might include wine from both countries.