By Tim Lambert
c. 40,000 BC
Indigenous Australians arrive in Australia
1642
Abel Tasman discovers Tasmania
1688
William Dampier sails to Western Australia
1770
Captain Cook claims New South Wales for Britain
1787
A fleet of 11 ships sets sail from Portsmouth to Australia
1788
The first colony is founded in Australia
1790
A second fleet arrives
1791
A third fleet arrives
1793
The first church in Australia is built
1797
Merino sheep are brought to Australia
The 19th Century
1803
The first Europeans land in Tasmania. The first Australian newspaper is printed.
1804
A settlement is founded at Newcastle
Convicts rebel at Castle Hill
Hobart is founded
1808
The Rum Rebellion takes place
1813
A pass is discovered through the Blue Mountains
1817
The first bank in Australia opens
1824
The name Australia is officially adopted by the British Admiralty
1825
Brisbane is founded
1828
The first census is taken in Australia. There are 20,870 free settlers and 15,728 convicts.
1829
Berrima is founded
Swan River Colony is founded
1833
Bathurst and Goulburn are founded
1835
Melbourne is founded
1836
A colony is begun at Port Adelaide
1840
Transportation to New South Wales ends
1850
Sydney University is founded
1851
Victoria is made a separate state from New South Wales
There is a gold rush in Victoria
1852
Transportation to Tasmania ends
1853
Melbourne University is founded
1854
The Eureka rebellion takes place
1860
Burke and Wills attempt to cross Australia
1861
The population of Australia reaches 1.2 million
1868
Transportation to Australia ends completely
1878
The first telephone call in Australia is made
1880
Ned Kelly is hanged
1892
Gold is found in Western Australia
The 20th Century
1900
The population of New South Wales is about 1.4 million.
1901
The Commonwealth of Australia is formed
1904
The first car race in Australia is held
1914-1918
The Anzacs fight in World War I
1917
A transcontinental railway is completed
1922
Queensland is the first state of Australia to abolish capital punishment
1927
Canberra becomes the capital of Australia
1928
The Commonwealth flying doctor service begins
1939-1945
The Anzacs fight in the Second World War
1948
Clothes rationing in Australia ends
1950
Petrol rationing in Australia ends
1951
Jean Lee is the last woman hanged in Australia
1954
Queen Elizabeth II is the first reigning monarch to visit Australia
1955
Eastern Australia is hit by floods
1956
Television begins in Australia
The Olympic Games are held in Melbourne
1958
The first nuclear reactor in Australia opens
1962
Indigenous Australians are allowed to vote
1964
The last hanging in South Australia takes place
1966
Decimal coins are introduced in Australia
1967
The last execution in Australia takes place
1975
The Governor-General dismisses the Australian government
1992
The Mabo Judgement is made. Unemployment in Australia stands at 11.3%
1993
The Wik Judgement is made
The 21st Century
2000
Over 250,000 people walk across Sydney Harbour Bridge as a symbol of reconciliation
The Olympic Games are held in Sydney
2006
The Commonwealth Games are held in Melbourne
