Vintage holiday posters reveal how Victorians used to travel

TRAVEL has long been a favourite pastime of Australians, and Victorians were no exception. This is how holidays were advertised to our forebears, long before the days of Contiki tours and Instagram.

TRAVEL has long been a favourite pastime of Australians, and Victorians were no exception.

Before modern-day Aussies were getting rowdy on Contiki tours and angling for the best Instagram pose, their mid-century forebears were encouraged to take a Kodak and explore their own backyards — often by rail.

As the Great Depression eased, the 1930s fast became the golden age of travel as regional towns far and wide put their best foot forward to entice domestic and international tourists.

DO YOU RECOGNISE THESE VICTORIAN SIGNS?

A poster advertising the “new” zoo at Royal Park. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: VPRS 12903-p00001-BOX607-12

Visitors were encouraged to catch the “fast electric train” in. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: PTC-slide-box47-026

Even Melbourne attractions were advertised, with city dwellers encouraged to visit the Royal Melbourne Show, shops and the zoo via rail.

“This was partly due to the efforts of the Victorian Railways and the Australian National Travel Association to promote tourism and outdoor recreation by commissioning posters from the best commercial artists of the day,” Public Record Office Victoria communications and online engagement officer Natasha Cantwell said.

A poster reminds travellers of the prime shopping times. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: PTC-slide-box47-003

The Royal Melbourne Show was also advertised as an attraction. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: PTC-slide-box47-001

Art Deco and mid-century travel posters archived at the office’s Public Transport Corporation Photographic Collection are an intriguing insight into how Victorians travelled back in the day.

By commissioning the top commercial artists of the era, Victorian Railways advertised regions like Mt Buffalo, Geelong, Gippsland and the Dandenongs with stunning landscapes showcasing leisuretime in the great outdoors.

Travellers were encouraged to pack a camera to capture the sights. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: PTC-slide-box47-041

An early ad for Buchan Caves in Gippsland. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: VPRS 12903-p00001-BOX608-8

SPLISH, SPLASH, PRANCE, DANCE, VINTAGE IS IN BABY!

FADED ICONS OF AUSTRALIAN HOUSEHOLDS

“As Australia suffered the effects of the Great Depression, these optimistic images were hugely popular with the public,” Ms Cantwell said.

“The simple pleasure of a nature walk around Mount Macedon or a day at the beach in Geelong was an achievable dream to most Melburnians.”

A dining cart on board the Spirit of Progress, the premier express train running from Melbourne. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: VPRS 12903-p1-BOX526-1

The train was state of the art for its time. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: VPRS 12800-p1-H4387

After the outbreak of World War II suspended demand for travel posters, the colourful illustrations were soon phased out for colour photographs.

Here are some of the gems unearthed from the Public Record Office Victoria archives in North Melbourne.

To search the entire Public Transport Corporation Photographic Collection, go to PROV’s online database.

INSIDE MELBOURNE’S FORGOTTEN MANSIONS

INCREDIBLE EVOLUTION OF OUR CHINATOWN

An ad for the tennis spruiks the benefits of rail travel. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: PTC-slide-box41-006

Could this have been the Lara Bingle of yesteryear advertising Lorne? Public Record Office Victoria image citation: VPRS 12903-p00001-BOX547-3

A jolly penguin lists the recreational delights to be enjoyed at Phillip Island. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: PTC-slide-box47-028

A jolly bear encourages travellers to visit the zoo. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: PTC-slide-box47-027

Victorian Railways encouraged day-trippers to travel by train. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: VPRS 12903-p00001-BOXP501-6

The brightly-coloured posters were designed by the top commercial artists of that era. Public Record Office Victoria mage citation: PTC-slide-box48-011

Pin-up girls were a common motif at the time. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: VPRS 12903-p00001-BOX539-1

Before colour photographs, artists had to depict the scenery by hand. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: PTC-slide-box48-013

The “exclusive beauty” of Mt Macedon was depicted with bright blue skies. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: PTC-slide-box47-037

This stylised ad for Geelong showcases the Art Deco style of the time. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: VPRS 12903-p00001-BOX609-12

A simple ad for the Victorian Tennis Championships. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: PTC-slide-box41-005

Artist Gert Sellheim’s 1935 poster featured bronzed Aussies on the beach. Public Record Office Victoria Image citation VPRS 12903-p00001-BOX610-4

The Pinnacles on Phillips Island take a starring turn on this poster. Public Record Office Victoria Image citation PTC-slide-box47-029

Erskine Falls and Lorne foreshore make a pretty scene. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: VPRS 12903-p00001-BOX608-12

The Murray River has never looked so blue. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: PTC-slide-box47-32

The artists attempted to evoke fun depictions of leisuretime. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: PTC-slide-box47-040

Victoria’s spa country has been popular since the early days of tourism. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: VPRS 12903-p00001-BOX608-4A

An advertisement showing the attractions around Gippsland Lakes. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: VPRS 12903-p00001-BOXP502-8

The Grampians were portrayed as an adventure playground. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: VPRS 12903-p00001-BOX528-10

This ad had a cheeky dig at Australia’s wildlife. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: PTC-slide-box47-033

Before online shopping, there was the mail rush before Christmas. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: VPRS 12903-p1-unit667