Australia and New Zealand
1 June – 19 November 1955
A long journey – travelling by bus via the Arlberg and Bolzano
with a stopover at ...Lake Garda...
...on to Naples
From Naples on the ship ‘Oronsay’
Concerts were also given on the ship, which was not always easy depending on the seaworthiness of the orchestra members.
The long sea voyage took them via...
..Greece
...and Port Said (Egypt)
...on through the Suez Canal
Stopover in Colombo (largest city in present-day Sri Lanka)
"Hello Taxi"
Colombo street scene
Arrival in Australia on 27 June 1955
During its stay in Australia, which lasted several weeks, the orchestra only gave concerts in two cities:
Sydney (22 concerts)
..... and Brisbane (16 concerts)
New Zealand
by bus..
....through the jungle
Reception by the Maori
On 19 November 1955, after more than five and a half months of travelling, the orchestra returned to Trossingen.
Such a long journey was not easy for those who stayed at home either.
Communication was only possible via rare letters, so the joy at their safe return was correspondingly great.
Newspaper photo, November 1955
Original caption:
After six months, the little girl finally has her dad, Kurt Ehmann, back. The joy of their reunion was probably the best thing about the orchestra's return from its successful concert tour of Australia and New Zealand.