DNL euro By Noah_1104 1770 James Cook explores the east coast of Australia 1788 Establishment of the first British colony in Sydney (First Fleet) Period: 1801 to 1803 Exploration of Australia by Matthew Flinders, who names the continent 1851 Australian Gold Rush Period: 1855 to 1890 Gradual self-governance of Australian colonies 1901 Creation of the Commonwealth of Australia (Federation of the colonies) 1931 Statute of Westminster granting legislative independence 1986 Australia Act, cutting the last legal ties with the United Kingdom
