History of Australia By asandreajr Feb 6, 1606 First Europeans to sail to Australia First Europeans sail to Australia Jan 20, 1770 Captain James Cook sailed around Australia Mar 16, 1787 British ships called the "First Fleet" left England with convicts to establish a prison colony. Jan 26, 1788 British Prisoners settle in Australia Nov 1, 1861 Government Officials create boundaries for the colonies Jan 18, 1868 British stopped sending prisoners to Australia Jan 1, 1901 The Commonwealth of Australia was created. Dec 23, 1901 The Immigration Restriction Act of 1901 restrained migration to people mainly of European descent May 27, 1967 The federal Government began to pass legislation to help the Aborigines Mar 2, 1986 Australia creates a ac saying that all legal ties with the British Empire were served