Huddart Parker was not only a famous Australian shipping company, but also the only one to maintain a passenger line to New Zealand. Its coastal liners 'Westralia' and 'Zealandia', trans-Tasman liners 'Ulimaroa' and 'Wanganella' and Bass Strait ferries 'Nairana' and 'Taroona' were all household names. Huddart Parker also operated a small fleet of cargo ships on interstate runs, tugs at Melbourne and Port Adelaide and excursion steamers on Port Phillip Bay. Besides shipping it owned large coal mines, had shareholdings in various industrial companies and was a pioneer in domestic aviation. This book records the history of the company from the arrival of the founders during the gold rush of the 1850s through the establishment of the company in 1876 to its takeover and withdrawal from shipping in 1961. It includes a detailed fleet list of all ships operated by the company.

Includes bibliography (p. 222-225.) and index.