Australia timeline By Tflinders 1606 The Dutch discover australia Period: 1768 to 1779 3 voyages were executed by james cook around australia 1770 Captain James Cook Sailed around australia 1787 British ships left England to make Australia a penal colony 1788 British Prisoners settled in Australia Period: 1788 to 1832 Australia (New south wales at the time) Was officially a penal colony Australia consisted mostly of Marines (Guards) Convicts and the marines family Period: 1833 to 1850 Tasmania was the island where the worst convicts were sent 1861 Government Officials created boundaries for the colonies 1868 The British stopped transporting prisoners Jan 1, 1901 The Commonwealth of Australia was established 1986 Australia act All ties with the British were severed