Rarely seen archived photos from Australia star in YouTube showcase
A new YouTube video weaves together photographs from key Australian archives, offering a quiet, powerful reflection on the country’s early history.
Produced by Portugal-based YouTuber VX52, Oldest Photos of Australia (1845-1945) is described as a tribute to the oldest photographs ever taken, celebrating the depth of human stories and shared heritage.
The images in the 17-minute long video were sourced from the National Library of Australia, the State Library of Western Australia, the WA State Library, the Victorian State Library, the University of Adelaide, and the National Gallery of Australia.
Many of the images in the showcase have been painstakingly restored and colourised, in a process VX52 tells Australian Photography was a labour of love.
"Australia holds a special place in my heart, and this film aims to capture the spirit of its early history: the vast outback, resilient settlers, and the enduring strength and beauty of its Indigenous communities," he says.
The contemplative visual time capsule is intended to be viewed in full screen with headphones, and showcases a foundational period in Australia’s national history.
VX52 says he began sourcing photos in February 2024, and worked on the edit between September 2024 and May 2025. All images used are genuine, he says, with no AI used.
"So far, I’ve only created two episodes — Japan and Australia — but in the coming months, I’m aiming to release one about the USA," explains VX52.
His hope with the series, he says, is that it will "honour the visual history that connects us all."
His hope with the series, he says, is that it will "honour the visual history that connects us all."
You can see more of VX52's videos on his YouTube channel.