English Lieutenant James Cook's expedition in HM Bark Endeavour charts the eastern coast, and claims it for the British Crown. Australia dubbed 'terra nullius' i.e., according to the European legal precepts of the era, it was 'owned' by no-one.

(Church records)

(Church records)

The British First Fleet, led by Governor Arthur Phillip arrives in New South Wales to found first European settlement and penal colony at Sydney. Colony includes 'all the islands adjacent in the Pacific Ocean' and running westward to the 135th meridian east. This claim included the islands of New Zealand, which were administered as part of New South Wales.

Beleaguered Second Fleet arrives. Colony gripped by food crisis.

Two French ships, La Recherche and L'Esp�rance, anchor at Recherche Bay, near the southernmost point of Tasmania at a time when England and France were racing around the globe to be the first to discover and colonise Australia.

Sydney Cove wrecked and some survivors travelled from Bass Strait to Port Jackson allowing for the rescue of others but also furthering knowledge of the geography of Australia.

1798-9 - George Bass and Matthew Flinders sail from Sydney and circumnavigate Tasmania, thus proving it to be an island.

Matthew Flinders completes the first circumnavigation of the continent (still known as 'New Holland')

A settlement is founded at Risdon on the Derwent River in Van Diemen's Land by Lieutenant Bowen.

The Rum Rebellion

John Oxley charts the Lachlan River

Oxley charts the Macquarie River.

A penal colony is founded at Moreton Bay, now the city of Brisbane.

New South Wales western border is extended to 129 degrees E. Van Diemen's Land is proclaimed.

Charles Sturt charts the Darling River.

The whole of Australia is claimed as British territory. The settlement of Perth is founded. Swan River Colony is declared by Charles Fremantle for Britain.

Sturt arrives at Goolwa, having charted the Murray River.

Sydney Herald (later to become The Sydney Morning Herald) first published.

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 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.