AustLit

Nineteenth-Century Travel Writing

English author and illustrator Jane Roberts' (1792-c.1871) Two Years at Sea, Being the Narrative of a Voyage to the Swan River and Van Dieman's Land, during the Years 1829, 30, 31 was first published in 1834, and was well received. It provided an early (and rare) account of the settlement at Swan River, with its popularity necessitating a second edition published in 1837 asTwo Years at Sea: Being the Narrative of a Voyage to Swan River, Van Diemen's Land, Thence, Through the Torres' Straits, to the Burman Empire: With an Account of the Services and Sufferings of the Missionaries in that Country, from the Date of the First Protestant Mission. The text, written in an engaging, first person tone, chronicled Roberts’ journey from England to Swan River and Van Dieman's Land via Spain and South Africa, returning via the Torres Straits, Asia and India. In Australia, Roberts described the discomforts of the "new" settlement at Swan River, the flora, fauna, and the Aboriginal populations. Her visit to Van Dieman's Land was confined to Hobart, where she noted the presence of convicts, and the state of society in the colony.