What does swagman mean in Australia?

In Australia, "swagman" refers to a person who travels long distances on foot, carrying their belongings in a swag (a kind of carrying bag). Swagmen were generally itinerant workers, such as shearers, drovers, fencers, and miners, who moved from one job site to another during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Swagmen were often identified by their distinctive attire, which included a felt hat, a large cotton handkerchief tied around their neck, moleskin or denim trousers, heavy boots, and a cloth swag containing their essential belongings, such as bedding, food, and tools.

They often relied on the hospitality of local farmers and townspeople along the way, and in return, they might offer their labor or share stories and news from distant places. Swagmen became an iconic figure in Australian folklore and literature and are fondly remembered for their resilience, resourcefulness, and spirit of adventure.