Over 20 "Australian & Oceanian" Writing Prompts
The Navigator and the Prophecy
Write a story about a Polynesian navigator who, in the pre-colonial period, discovers the coast of New Zealand. Intertwine his tale with that of a Maori tribe’s prophecy about a foreign voyager who would alter their fate forever, exploring themes of destiny, cultural exchange, and survival.
A Woman in the Victorian Goldfields
Take on the voice of a woman participating in the gold rushes of the 1850s in Victoria. Narrate her journey from her homeland, her motivation for searching for gold, the trials she faces in the male-dominated camps, and her dreams for her future.
The Convict at Port Jackson
Set your story in 1788, with the arrival of the First Fleet at Port Jackson. Focus on a convict sentenced to transportation for a crime they didn't commit. Explore their struggles and triumphs as they cope with life in the penal colony, interactions with Aboriginal communities, and their quest for redemption or escape.
The Telegraph Line
Craft a narrative based on the building of the Overland Telegraph Line in the 1870s Australia. Follow an Aboriginal Australian worker's perspective, exploring their thoughts and feelings about the changing landscape, the technology being introduced, and their interactions with European Australians.
A Convict’s Australian Diary
Imagine you are a convict on one of the first fleets arriving in Australia. Describe your perilous journey at sea and the first few months of settlement through a series of diary entries. Include your thoughts on the new environment, encounters with the native people, and the challenges of building a new life.
Building the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Set your story in Australia during the early 20th century, focusing on the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Follow a character who is an engineer from England brought over to oversee the project, detailing the technological challenges, the interactions with the local workforce, and personal conflicts arising from cultural differences.
The Sydney Gold Nugget
In the bustling heart of 1850s Sydney, amidst the chaos of the gold rush, a young child from the local Indigenous tribe discovers a nugget of gold. Write about their decision to either hide this secret or share it with their tribe, exploring the consequences of their choice on their community and the encroaching European settlers.
The Victorian Goldfields
Write a story set during the early days of the Australian gold rush in the 1850s. Describe the life of a family who left their home in Sydney to find fortune in the goldfields of Victoria, detailing the challenges and opportunities they face, the people they meet, and the impacts of the gold rush on the indigenous populations.
First Encounters on Country
Write a story set in the late 18th century, detailing the life of a young Aboriginal child and their family as they encounter the first British colonizers arriving in Australia. Explore the initial interactions, conflicts, and misunderstandings from the perspective of this indigenous family.
Fortune Seekers in Victoria
Set during the gold rush in Victoria in the 1850s, explore the daily struggles, hopes, and betrayals of a diverse group of prospectors from different parts of the world, each with their stories and dreams, as they cope with the harsh realities of seeking fortune.