They were lost for 74 years, but now unique home videos filmed by a mystery traveller have brought the Australia of 1940 back to life in glorious colour.

The extraordinary glimpses of a bygone era were captured on 16mm cine film by an unknown American tourist who has left only tantalising hints to his identity.

The movies were discovered by chance at a a garage sale in San Jose, California by history enthusiast Tim Peddy, a member of the California Pioneers of Santa Clara County, a not-for-profit group of volunteers dedicated to preserving treasured records of the past.

They were digitally remastered by another volunteer, Rick Helin, and posted online to be seen by Australians for the very first time.

The silent movies of the visit to "Kangarooland" are narrated using printed captions peppered with editorial gems.

In Victoria, the tourist is fascinated by the "beautiful homes and gardens for which Melbourne is famous" - particularly the "home of (Dame Nellie) Melba - the Australian nightingale" - and the "wonderful scenery" of the Dandenong Ranges.

MELBOURNE: The CBD before the skyscrapers shot up

SYDNEY: Cars drive past the Cenotaph on now pedestrianised Martin Place

In Sydney, a horse and cart trots past Circular Quay, "where all streetcars and ferries meet".

There is a trip around "the most beautiful harbour in the world" on a steam-powered ferry; sunbathing at Bronte, Coogee and Manly (with the warning "most Australian beaches are infested with man-eating sharks"); and a day at the races at Rosehill, where "everybody plays the lotteries".

SYDNEY: Some things never change - enjoying the beach at Manly Wharf

BRISBANE: Peak hour traffic, 1940s style

Then on to Brisbane, a "fast growing city of 350,000 nice people".

Then, as now, native animals are the stars of the show, with kangaroos, koalas and kookaburras making frequent appearances.

And the influence of the Anzac legend is strong - the war memorials look the same as they do today, even as the buildings around them change.