The word 'overland' and 'overlander' today represents a term associated with travel. The current overlander is someone who enjoys the journey as much as the destination. Someone who takes advantage of a vehicle to reach remote locations, solitude and adventure.
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| Francis Birtles - 1st London to Singapore attempt |
A hundred years ago, the word 'overlander' meant something totally different. It was a job title. People built their careers as an overlander. The author Warren Brown describes the early overland cyclist:
"Overlanders were a particular strain of adventurer - part endurance rider, part explorer, part athlete, part bushman and, because of the mind-numbing and potentially soul-destroying loneliness and boredom, part philosopher".
The overland cyclist and motor car adventurer were on collision paths. The former were being pushed to the backpages of the broadsheet media whilst the motor car claimed the front pages as new trans-continental records were being established. Towards the end of the 1920's, overlanders were pushed to the back pages as the dashing aviator thrilled the world with flight.
