 The growth of the sheep industry in Australia was explosive . In 1820 , the continent held 100 @,@ 000 sheep , a decade later it had one million . By 1840 , New South Wales alone kept 4 million sheep ; flock numbers grew to 13 million in a decade . While much of the growth in both nations was due to the active support of Britain in its desire for wool , both worked independently to develop new high @-@ production breeds : the Corriedale , <unk> , <unk> , <unk> , Polwarth , <unk> Merino , Peppin Merino , and Poll Merino were all created in New Zealand or Australia . Wool production was a fitting industry for colonies far from their home nations . Before the advent of fast air and maritime shipping , wool was one of the few viable products that was not subject to spoiling on the long passage back to British ports . The abundant new land and milder winter weather of the region also aided the growth of the Australian and New Zealand sheep industries . 
