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40,000 BCE
40,000 BC
The first Aborigines arrived from southeast Asia. Around 20,000 years later they spread out through the mainland and Tasmania. -
40,000 BCE
Before Colonization
Before British colonization in the 1770s, Australia was inhabited by Aborigines. Before the first British contact there was believed to be from 315,000 to 700,000 aborigines living there. -
Period: to
Relation with UK
When Captain Cook first came to Australia he founded New South Wales in 1777. British explorers came in in higher numbers and founded 6 more colonies over the years. Then in 1901 the six colonies federated into The Commonwealth of Australia. It was founded as a dominion of the UK and to this day they still are a dominion. -
1770
Captain James Cook arrived at the east coast of Australia, In Botany Bay, near Sydney, and claimed the land as a British Territory. Named it "New South Wales." -
1788
A fleet of 11 ships carrying around 800 convicts arrived in Australia. They landed in Sydney and founded a Penal Settlement there. -
1850s
Gold rush started, which increased population drastically. But poor treatment of aborigines lead to lower numbers in their population. More gold discoveries leads to more gold rushes, high Chinese immigration numbers lead to restrictions on their entry. -
1901
Australia is founded as a country. January 1st is their independence day.
