Timeline of Australia’s history

By francescocava
  • Discovery of Australia

    Discovery of Australia

    First Europeans to sail to Australia were the Dutch (Netherlands) but they were attacked by Aborigines so they abandoned the exploration
  • British exploration

    British exploration

    Captain James Cook sailed around
    Australia and he named the area New South Wales
  • Period: to

    A penal colony

    New South Wales was officially a penal (prison) colony consisting mainly of british prisoners, marines (guards), and the marines’ families
  • Period: to

    Port Arthur, Tasmania

    It was the destination for the hardest of convicted British and Irish criminals
  • Australian boundaries

    Australian boundaries

    Government officials created boundaries for the colonies that are still in place today

  • The Commonwealth

    The Commonwealth of Australia was established
  • Immigration Restriction Act

    Immigration Restriction Act

    Act that restricted migration to people primarily of European descent
  • The capital

    The capital

    Canberra becomes the national capital
  • Australia Act

    Australia Act

    All legal ties with the British Empire were severed
  • Independence: yes or not?

    Independence: yes or not?

    55% of voters rejected the idea of becoming an independent