Botany Bay, v. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

Botany Bay v.

also do a Botany

[rhy. sl.]

(Aus.) to run away.

1889		Dead Bird (Sydney) 30 Nov. 7/4: The old gentleman came home unexpectedly, which occasioned the young gallant to do a Botany for the back fence.
1900		Bulletin (Sydney) 31 Mar. 24/2: Tot laughed and so did the onlookers at Otto’s efforts to catch his man when Higgins took it into his head to ‘do a Botany.’.
1945		Baker Aus. Lang.
1960		J. Franklyn Dict. of Rhy. Sl.
2002		Pete’s Aussie Sl. Home Page 🌐 Botany Bay: to run away, eg. do a Botany.