Chronicles of Aus

Australia - Map - States, Territories, Capitals - Fixed

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Historically speaking, the history of Australia since European settlement is so very young.  In just over 200 years Europeans have totally changed this island continent –

     – for better ??? . . .     or . . .

          – for worse ??? . . .

The following Timelines provide an overview and snippets of some of the primary significant events that shaped our country since the first Europeans settled here.  The events covered are generally from the late 18th Century to the early 20th Century . . .

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Australia

Australia

Australia – the elusive continent that evaded discovery by Europeans until just 400 years ago.  Inhabited by Australia’s Aborigines for between 40 to 60 thousand years, they enjoyed the sanctuary of this vast land until the late 18th century.  There had been speculation that there may be a great land in the southern hemisphere as early as 150 AD by the brilliant Claudius Ptolemy; evidence suggests that sailors from China, India, Arabia, Malaya and Pacific Islands traded with Australia’s northern Aboriginal people around 1,000 years ago – but, it was not until the early 17th century that parts of the western, northern and southern coastlines found their way onto the maps of the World.  The Dutch were the first, naming the western reaches of Australia ‘New Holland’.  Willem Janszoon mapped part of the Gulf of Carpentaria in 1606 – Dirk Hartog followed in 1616 – and Abel Tasman in 1642 and 1644.  British explorer, Captain Cook mapped some of the east coast and proclaimed the colony of New South Wales in 1770.  The First Fleet arrived soon after – and within a few decades the ancient Australian landscape was forever changed . . .

The Evolution of Australia (formerly New Holland)

Discover the evolution of the colonies of New Holland from the time of Captain James Cook’s secret instruction to “take possession” “as first discoverers and possessors“, of the great southern continent in the name of the King of Britain; to the current day, exhibiting the states and territories of Australia . . .

Discovering Terra Australis 

Discover some of the very first exploration expeditions that revealed the great continent of Australia.  The search for fresh water.  The treacherous deserts, the impenetrable mountains and morass, the crystal clear rivers full of lobster and divine fish species, the Aborigines whose curiosity sometimes showed kindness and then other times, fear, as their world so suddenly changed . . .

Founding Pioneers, Governors of Aus 

This timeline provides an insight into some of the very first explorers and pioneers who sailed uncharted seas and traversed unknown lands – travelling insurmountable distances – not knowing what lay ahead . . .  They literally paved the passage for settlers to infiltrate this great southern continent – risking their lives, their families, their savings, their livelihood . . .  From thence it examines the first governors whose names are remembered in so many of Australia’s place names – and the struggle to impose British claims, ideology, constabulary . . .

The History of Shipping in Australia 

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Australian Capital Territory

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

With the introduction of the Commonwealth of Australian Constitution Act of 1900, a federal capital and territory was provided for.  It was to be located within the colony of New South Wales and to be not less than 100 miles from Sydney and of a size of not less than 100 square miles (161 sq km) – first became known as the “Territory for the Seat of Government”, however it was commonly referred to as the ‘Federal Capital Territory’.  It would be renamed the “Australian Capital Territory” in 1838 . . .

Historical POI – Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

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New South Wales

New South Wales (NSW)

New South Wales – the first colony proclaimed by the British, originally spanning from longitude 135o E eastward, and, from 38o S northward – which actually excluded Tasmania and parts of Victoria . . .  Discover some of the significant events up to the early 20th Century, that moulded New South Wales into the state that we know today . . .

Historical POI – Central New South WalesNSW - Region Map New Dale - with Towns

Region’s Boundary:
  • For the purpose of these Historical POI Timelines, the Central region is defined as follows:
  • Southern Boundary:  commences at Dubbo and follows the major roadways south-eastward to the coast at North Wollongong
  • Eastern Boundary:  Commences at Newcastle, and follows the coastline southward to North Wollongong
  • Northern Boundary:  commences at Dubbo, and follows Highways A39 & B56 north-eastward to Gunnedah, then follows Highways B51 & A15 south-eastward to the coast at Newcastle

Historical POI – North Eastern New South Wales

Region’s Boundary:
  •             For the purpose of these Historical POI Timelines, the North Eastern region is defined as follows:
  • Southern Boundary:  commences at Dubbo and follows the major roadways south-eastward to the coast at North Wollongong
  • Eastern Boundary:  Commences at Newcastle, and follows the coastline northward to the QLD Border
  • Western Boundary:  commences at Dubbo, and follows Highway A39 northward to the QLD Border
  • Northern Boundary:  is the QLD border from the junction of Highway A39 eastward to the coast

Historical POI – South Eastern New South Wales

Region’s Boundary:
  •             For the purpose of these Historical POI Timelines, the South Eastern region is defined as follows:
  • Eastern Boundary:  Commences at the intersection of the VIC border and follows the coastline northward to North Wollongong
  • Northern Boundary:  commences at Dubbo and follows the major roadways south-eastward to the coast at North Wollongong
  • Western Boundary:  commences at Dubbo, and follows Highway A39 southward to the VIC Border
  • Southern Boundary: is the VIC border from the junction of Highway A39 eastward to the coast
  • Australian Capital Territory (ACT): the ACT has been excluded from this region

Historical POI – Western New South Wales

Region’s Boundary:
  •                     For the purpose of these Historical POI Timelines, the Western region is defined as follows:
  • Western Boundary:  is the SA border from its junction with the QLD border southward to where the VIC border intersects
  • Southern Boundary:  is the VIC border from the junction of the SA border eastward to where Highway A39 intersects
  • Northern Boundary:  is the QLD border from the junction of Highway A39 westward to the SA Border
  • Eastern Boundary:  commences at Dubbo, and follows Highway A39 northward to the QLD Border

Shipping – New South Wales

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Northern Territory

Northern Territory (NT)

The Northern Territory, with its many dramatic climates and vast distances, posed many challenges to the early settlers, though the lure of the magnificent landscapes were too great to ignore . . .

Historical POI – Northern Territory (NT)

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Queensland

Queensland (QLD)

The tropics of Queensland hold many mysteries, dating back thousands of years – to navigators who sought the wealth that the terrain restrained . . .

On the 6th June 1859, the state of Queensland, Australia was separated from New South Wales via Letters Patent signed on that day.

Initially spanning from latitude 29º S northward to the coast, and longitude 141o E eastward to the coast, the borders would be clarified and moved over a period until they were finalised in the position they remain today, on the 13th March 1862.

The tropics of Queensland hold many mysteries, dating back thousands of years – to navigators who sought the wealth that the terrain restrained.  Discover some of the events that led to the evolution of Queensland into the state that we know today . . .

 

Historical POI – Northern Queensland

Region’s Boundary:
  • For the purpose of these Historical POI Timelines, the Northern region is defined as follows:
  • Eastern Boundary: Commences at Townville, and follows the coastline northward to Cape York
  • Northern Boundary: commences at Cape York, and follows the coastline southward and westward to the NT Border
  • Western Boundary:  commences at the junction of the NT border and the northern coastline, southward to the junction of Highway A2
  • Southern Boundary: commences at the NT border at the junction of Highway A2 and follows Highways A2, A6 & A1 eastward to the coastline at Townsville

Historical POI – South Western Queensland

Region’s Boundary:
  •             For the purpose of these Historical POI Timelines, the South Western region is defined as follows:
  • Southern Boundary:  commences at the junction of the NT / QLD / SA border, following the SA /QLD border eastward, then southward to the junction of the QLD, SA & NSW border, then following the NSW border eastward to the junction of Highway 46 at Mungindi
  • Eastern Boundary:  commences at Mungindi, and follows Highways 46 & 55 northward, then Highway A2 north-westward, to the NT border
  • Western Boundary:  commences at the junction of the NT border & Highway A2, following the border southward to the junction of the NT / SA / QLD border

Historical POI – Central Queensland

Region’s Boundary:
  •             For the purpose of these Historical POI Timelines, the Central region is defined as follows:
  • Northern Boundary:  commences at the intersection of Highways A2 & A6, following Highway A6 eastward to the intersection of Highway A7
  • Eastern Boundary:  commencing at the intersection of Highways A6 & A7, following Highway A7 southward to the intersection of Highway A4.  Then follows Highway A4 eastward to the intersection Highway A5 – following the major Highways A5, A3 & A15 southward to the NSW border at Cottonvale
  • Southern Boundary:  is the NSW border from the junction of Highway 46 at Mungindi, eastward to the intersection of Highway A15 at Cottonvale
  • Western Boundary:  commences at Mungindi, and follows Highways 46 & A55 northward to the intersection of Highway A2, then follows Highway A2 north-westward, to the intersection of Highway A6

Historical POI – North East Queensland Coast

Region’s Boundary:
  •                     For the purpose of these Historical POI Timelines, the North East Coast region is defined as follows:
  • Northern Boundary: commences at the intersection of Highways A6 & A7, and follows Highway A6 north-eastward to the coastline at Townsville
  • Eastern Boundary:  follows the coastline from Townsville to Bundaberg
  • Southern Boundary:  commences at Ban Ban Springs, and follows Highways 52, A1 & 3 north-eastward to the coastline at Bundaberg
  • Western Boundary:  commencing at the intersection of Highways A6 & A7, follows Highway A7 southward to the intersection of Highway 60 at Rolleston, continues on Highway 60 eastward to the intersection of Highway A3 at Biloela, then follows Highway A3 to the intersection of Highway 52 at Ban Ban Springs

Historical POI – Mid Queensland Coast

Region’s Boundary:
  •                     For the purpose of these Historical POI Timelines, the Mid Coast region is defined as follows:
  • Northern Boundary:  commences at Ban Ban Springs, and follows Highways 52, A1 & 3 north-eastward to Bundaberg
  • Eastern Boundary:  follows the coastline from Bundaberg to Caloundra
  • Southern Boundary:  commences at Yarraman, and follows Highways A17, 85 & 6 eastward to the coastline at Caloundra
  • Western Boundary:  commences at Ban Ban Springs and follows Highway A3 southward to Yarraman

Historical POI – South East Queensland Coast

Region’s Boundary:
  •                     For the purpose of these Historical POI Timelines, the South East Coast region is defined as follows:
  • Southern Boundary:  commences at the junction of the NSW Border with the coastline, follows the border westward to Cottonvale
  • Eastern Boundary:  follows the coastline from Caloundra southward to the NSW Border
  • Northern Boundary:  commences at Yarraman, and follows Highways 17, 85 & 6 eastward to the coastline at Coloundra
  • Western Boundary:  commences at Yarraman and follows Highway A3 & A15 southward to the intersection of Highway A15 at Cottonvale

Shipping – Queensland

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South Australia

South Australia (SA)

South Australia was the fourth colony to be proclaimed back – on the 19th February 1836.  Though the borders have moved great distances since that time, the state has reverted to almost the original proclaimed – though the western border did move westward to meet the Western Australian border . . .

Historical POI – South Australia (SA)

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Shipping – South Australia

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Tasmania

Tasmania (TAS)

The first penal colonies of Van Diemen’s Land, often referred to as “VDL” in the day – received ship-loads of British convicts whose hard work built towns, infrastructure and buildings that have survived to tell their tale  . . .

Historical POI – Tasmania (TAS)

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Shipping – Tasmania

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Victoria

Victoria (VIC)

Discover some of the significant events up to the early 20th Century, that moulded Victoria into the state that we know today . . .

Historical POI – Central Victoria
Victoria Map Final

Region’s Boundary:
  • For the purpose of these Historical POI Timelines, the Central region is defined as follows:
  • Eastern Boundary:  Commences at Alexandra, and follows the major roadways southward to Kilcunda
  • Western Boundary:  commences at Torquay, and follows the major roadways northward to Bendigo via Ballarat
  • Northern Boundary:  commences at Bendigo, and follows the major roadways eastward to Alexandra
  • Southern Boundary:  is the coastline from Torquay eastward to Kilcunda

Historical POI – Eastern Victoria

Region’s Boundary:
  • For the purpose of these Historical POI Timelines, the Eastern region is defined as follows:
  • Western Boundary:  commences at Seymour, following the major roadways eastward to Alexandra, then southward to the coast at Kilcunda
  • Southern Boundary: commences at Kilcunda, and follows the coast eastward until the junction of the NSW / VIC border
  • Northern Boundary:  follows the NSW / VIC border from the junction of Highway M31 eastward to the coast

Historical POI – North Central Victoria

Region’s Boundary:
  •          For the purpose of these Historical POI Timelines, the North Central region is defined as follows:
  • Northern Boundary:  follows the NSW / VIC border from the junction of Highway A79 eastward to where Highway M31 intercepts
  • North-Western Boundary:  commences at Bendigo, running along Highway A79 north-westward to the NSW border
  • Eastern Boundary:  commences at Seymour, and follows Highway M31 north-eastward to the NSW border
  • Southern Boundary: commences at Bendigo, and follows the major roadways eastward to Seymour

Historical POI – North Western Victoria

Region’s Boundary:
  •          For the purpose of these Historical POI Timelines, the North Western region is defined as follows:
  • Northern Boundary:  follows the NSW / VIC border from the junction of the SA border eastward to where Highway A79 intercepts
  • Western Boundary:  is the SA border from the junction of Highway A8 northward to where the VIC border intercepts
  • North-Eastern Boundary:  commences at Bendigo, running along Highway A79 north-westward to the NSW border
  • Eastern Boundary:  commences at Ballarat, and follows the major roadways northward to Bendigo
  • Southern Boundary: commences at Ballarat, and follows Highway A8 westward to the SA border

Historical POI – South Western Victoria

Region’s Boundary:
  •                                                          For the purpose of these Historical POI Timelines, the South Western region is defined as follows:
  • Eastern Boundary:  commences at Torquay, and follows the major roadways northward to Ballarat
  • Northern Boundary:  commences at Ballarat, and follows Highway A8 westward to the SA border
  • Western Boundary:  is the SA border from the coast northward to the junction of Highway A8
  • Southern Boundary:  is the coastline from Torquay westward to the SA border

Shipping – Victoria

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Western Australia

Western Australia (WA)

Western Australia was the largest of the colonies and remains as such today.  Originally excluded from the new colony of New South Wales proclaimed by Lt. James Cook on behalf of the British in 1788, the entire portion of the Australian continent that we know as Western Australia today remained “New Holland ” from Longitude 135o E, westward until 1825, when the border was moved a little further westward to 129o E . . .

Historical POI – Western Australia (WA)