Charles hill   the proclamation of south australia 1836

History of Australia

  • 50 BCE

    Arrival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

    Arrival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples arrive in Australia, establishing a rich culture and connection to the land.
  • Dutch Exploration

    Dutch Exploration
    Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon is the first European believed to have landed on the shores of mainland Australia, in the northwest region.
  • Captain James Cook's Voyage

    Captain James Cook's Voyage
    Captain James Cook explores the east coast of Australia, which he calls New South Wales.
  • Establishment of the British Penal Colony

    Establishment of the British Penal Colony
    The arrival of the First Fleet in Sydney Cove in 1788 marked the official British colonization of Australia. The colony was initially established as a penal colony to relieve overcrowding in British prisons.
  • The Rum Rebellion

    The Rum Rebellion
    The ‘Rum Rebellion’ overthrows Captain William Bligh.
  • Gold Rush

    Gold Rush
    Gold is discovered near Bathurst, in New South Wales.
  • Eureka Stockade

    Eureka Stockade
    The Eureka Stockade was a miner's rebellion in Ballarat, protesting against oppressive goldfield licensing fees and poor working conditions.
  • Federation of the Colonies

    Federation of the Colonies
    Six colonies federated into the Commonwealth of Australia.
  • Stolen Generations

    Stolen Generations
    The Stolen Generations refers to the period where a large number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were removed from their families by government agencies and church missions.
  • Mabo Decision

    Mabo Decision
    The Mabo decision is a landmark High Court case recognizing native title for the first time, overturning the "terra nullius" doctrine and impacting Indigenous land rights.