This is the story of Australia's economic development from the arrival of the First Fleet to today's post-industrial society.

From the near-bankruptcy of the early convict days, follow the currency difficulties and the use of rum to finance infrastructure. As the dominance of wool is displaced, New South Wales and Victoria grow wealthy on gold. The long boom follows, then depression, recession, and days when it seemed the good times would never end.

Over 200-plus years, Australia has become one of the world's strongest economies.