-
First Europeons came to Australia.
-
Captain James Cook charts the east coast in his ship HM Endeavour. Cook claims it as a British possession and names eastern Australia "New South Wales".
-
British Navy captain Arthur Phillip founds a penal settlement at Sydney. He had arrived with a fleet of 11 vessels, carrying nearly 800 convicts. The Aboriginal population at the time is thought to number several hundred thousand..
-
Colony of Western Australia established at Perth by Captain James Stirling.
-
New South Wales was officicaly a prision.
-
South Australia established, with Adelaide as its capital.
-
Gold is found at several locations leading to gold rushes throughout the decade.
-
The common wealth of Australia was established.
-
- Canberra is founded and designated as the capital.
-
All legal ties with the British Empire were severed.
