1800s
Still common
Definition
Gone wandering, lost, or temporarily absent without notice (especially 'gone walkabout').
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Where "Walkabout" Comes From
"Walkabout" emerged in 1820s colonial Australia as a pidgin English term used by European settlers to describe Indigenous Australians undertaking seasonal, ritual travel and connection to country along ancient songlines.
Over the 20th century, the phrase "gone walkabout" crossed into everyday Australian domestic speech as a playful, personified way to describe inanimate objects (like tools, thongs, or glasses) that have mysteriously vanished, as well as colleagues taking unauthorized time off work.
Source:
Example Sentence
"Has anyone seen my car keys? They seem to have gone walkabout again."
How Aussies Actually Use It
Most commonly applied to misplaced household items that 'wandered off' on their own.
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