I think they swam
because I’m not having any luck finding an arrival for Patrick Lynch (b.1832, Ireland d. 1891, NSW) his wife Bridget nee McGraie/McGrail or his children Mary (b. 1856, Scotland?) and John (b. 1857, Scotland?). I have a marriage record for 1855 in Scotland and a birth record for a daughter Annie in 1859 in Wellington NSW but between that…
Yeah. They swam.
Have you tried via New Zealand? I've had quite a few who came that way, especially in that period. Well, 1860's, as that is the NZ Gold Rush. You might find them in NZ. Only problem is that often not recorded when coming from NZ to Australia. But at least you could explain the gap if that was the case.
That is my next step, trying to confirm Scottish births too as that will narrow the window
Wonder if they came in a convoy with some of my Irish?