This page tells you one method (there are others) for finding south using the Southern Cross, and also how to tell the time by it...

The Southern Cross constellation is prominent in the Australian skies (and on my belt-buckle), and was used as a flag, now known as the Eureka Flag during the ill-fated Eureka Stockade uprising in Ballarat, Victoria, in 1854. "A flag born out of adversity and almost 150 years later still looked upon as a symbol of nationalism." For many Australian is its the 'real' Australian Flag, as it shows no Union Jack in the corner, and symbolises the struggles of the working man against unjust oppression.

THE OATH OF THE EUREKA FLAG

The miners in Peter Lalor's patrol were all sworn in by him before the Battle of the Eureka Stockade "It is my duty now to swear you in and to take with you the oath to be faithful to the Southern Cross. Hear me with attention. The man who, after this solemn oath, does not stand by our Standard is a coward in heart. I order all persons who do not intend to take the oath to leave at once."

"We swear by the Southern Cross to stand truly by each other and fight to defend our rights and liberties."

A picture of the remains of the original flag can be found here.

Raffello Carboni in his published account of the Eureka uprising (R.Carboni, The Eureka Stockade, Melbourne, 1855) wrote of the flag;

There is no flag in Europe or in the civilised world half so beautiful... the flag is silk, blue ground, with a large silver cross; no device or arms, but all exceedingly chaste and natural.

To counter any accusations that I'm trying to make Mudcat a Flag and history site, instead of a music site - I'll toss in a musical reference to the Southern Cross...

This extract from: Poor Ned (Redgum) - full lyrics here

You know they took Ned Kelly
And they hung him in the Melbourne Gaol.
He fought so very bravely
Dressed in iron mail.
And no man single handed
Can hope to break the bars.
There's a thousand like Ned Kelly
Who'll hoist the flag of stars.

Cheers

aussiebloke