Shipping Ostriches from Cape Town to Australia.

Early engraving showing the introduction of ostriches into Australia from South Africa in 1883..

To capitalise on the use of ostrich feathers in the fashion industry, the South Australian Government in 1882, had offered leasehold land on the condition that at least 50 birds for every 1000 acres were kept. In 1883 Frank Bignell and W. Campbell started an Ostrich farm with a small number of birds 13km from Port Augusta.