Swan River Colony has its name changed to Western Australia.

The penal settlement of Port Arthur is founded in Van Diemen's Land.

John Batman and John Pascoe Fawkner establish a settlement at Port Phillip, now the city of Melbourne.

Province of South Australia proclaimed with its western border at 132 degrees E.

First Prussian settlers arrive in South Australia; the largest group on non-British migrants in Australia at the time.

Paul Edmund Strzelecki becomes first European to ascend and name Australia's highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko.

Australia's first municipal authority, the City of Adelaide, is established, followed by Sydney City Council.

New Zealand is proclaimed as a separate colony, no longer part of New South Wales.

Copper is discovered at Kapunda in South Australia.

Australia's first parliamentary elections held for the New South Wales Legislative Council (though voting rights are restricted to males of certain wealth or property).

The ship Cataraqui is wrecked off King Island in Bass Strait. It is Australia's worst civil maritime disaster, with 406 lives lost.

Western Australia becomes a penal colony.

Victoria separates from New South Wales.

Bendigo Petition and Red Ribbon Rebellion at Bendigo

THE 1881 census shows them (with parents deceased) Samuel age 16, Scholar - living with an older brother David age 24, Railway Clerk at So. High Street in Wigtown. David was married to Jane age 24, they had 2 children Mary McDowall age 2 born Wigtown and James McDowall age 1 born Wigtown

THE 1881 census shows them (with parents deceased) Samuel age 16, Scholar - living with an older brother David age 24, Railway Clerk at So. High Street in Wigtown. David was married to Jane age 24, they had 2 children Mary McDowall age 2 born Wigtown and James McDowall age 1 born Wigtown

The Eureka Stockade

The transportation of convicts to Norfolk Island ceases.

Van Diemen's Land name changed to Tasmania.

Victorian Committee reported that a 'federal union' would be in the interests of all the growing colonies. However, there was not enough interest in or enthusiasm for taking positive steps towards bringing the colonies together.

Sydney and Melbourne linked by electric telegraph.

SS Admella wrecked off south-east coast of South Australia with the loss of 89 lives.

John McDouall Stuart reaches the centre of the continent. South Australian border changed from 132 degrees E to 129 degrees E.

The ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition occurs.

Stuart reaches Port Darwin, founding a settlement there. Queensland's western border is moved to 139 degrees E.

South Australia takes control of the Northern Territory which was part of the colony of New South Wales.

Gold is discovered at Gympie, Queensland.

The transportation of convicts to Western Australia ceases.

Children of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent are removed from their families by Australian and State government agencies.

Overland Telegraph Line linking Darwin and Adelaide opens.

Uluru is first sighted by Europeans, and named Ayers Rock.