The transition from sail to steam power for cargo and passenger shipping to Australia lagged behind the North Atlantic by nearly two decades. This column explores how Brunel’s iconic ship, the SS Great Britain, succeeded where others failed, thanks to its size and innovative design that combined sail and steam power. The Great Britain made 32 voyages from the UK to Australia between 1852 and 1875, carrying thousands of passengers and cargo. Its owners, Gibbs, Bright and Co., played a crucial