making a nation timeline By ovanderlin Apr 19, 1770 James Cook's Botany Bay landing 1787 New South Wales first settlement - Sydney Cove 1803 Van Deimen's Land (Tasmania) first settlement 1813 First crossing of the Blue Mountains - NSW 1824 Queensland convict settlement - Moreton Bay 1829 Western Australia: Swan River Colony 1851 Start of gold rush 1856 Introduction of eight hour day 1901 Australian colonies unite, forming the commonwealth of Australia 1902 Australian Commonwealth Franchise Act grants the vote to most men and women over 21