
Who were the first European settlers of Australia?
Who were the first settlers of Australia from Europe?
- Black Snake Inn, Granton 1839. ( D'Umont d'Urville expedition)
- William Smith.
- Mary Ann Lawrence by Henry Mundy, 1841.
- Immigrants arriving at Hunter Island (now Hunter Street), Hobart Town Van Diemen's Land, by George Frankland c1827.
Was Australia settled or invaded by the Europeans?
It states: “Australia was not settled peacefully, it was invaded, occupied and colonised. Describing the arrival of the Europeans as a ‘settlement’ attempts to view Australian history from the shores of England rather than the shores of Australia.” Invasion. The invasion of Aboriginal lands in 1770 – and Aboriginal resistance to it ...
What was unusual about the first European settlers in Australia?
what was unusual about the first european settlers in australia? Indigenous South Americans had advanced metallurgy and worked platinum with sintering method prior to contact with the European settlers. Platinum has a melting point of 3218 F. Europeans were unable to work platinum until the 19th century.
How did Australia change after European settlement?
Since European settlement in 1788, the way in which people use the land has significantly changed Australia's natural systems and landscapes. Some land management practices place enormous pressures on the land which can result in damage to ecosystems, reductions in biodiversity and degradation of soils and waterways.
What was the colony of New South Wales?
Who were the first judges of the peace in Australia?
What did the New South Wales military do?
What happened to the New South Wales Corps?
What was the first sign of change?
Who were the early governors of New South Wales?
Where did the convicts settle?
See 4 more
About this website

When did European colonization begin in Australia?
Australia Day establishment of the first permanent European settlement on the continent of Australia. On January 26, 1788, Arthur Phillip, who had sailed into what is now Sydney Cove with a shipload of convicts, hoisted the British flag at the site.
Who was the first European to settle in Australia?
While Indigenous Australians have inhabited the continent for tens of thousands of years, and traded with nearby islanders, the first documented landing on Australia by a European was in 1606. The Dutch explorer Willem Janszoon landed on the western side of Cape York Peninsula and charted about 300 km of coastline.
What was unusual about the first European settlers in Australia?
What was unusual about the first European settlers in Australia? They were convicted criminals sent to a penal colony.
What happened when the European settlers came to Australia?
A few days after arrival at Botany Bay the fleet moved to the more suitable Port Jackson where a settlement was established at Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788. This date later became Australia's national day, Australia Day. The colony was formally proclaimed by Governor Phillip on 7 February 1788 at Sydney.
Which ethnic group first settled Australia?
Aboriginal Australians could be the oldest population of humans living outside of Africa, where one theory says they migrated from in boats 70,000 years ago. Australia's first people—known as Aboriginal Australians—have lived on the continent for over 50,000 years.
Why was Australia used as a settlement by the British?
The usual explanation is that with the American colonies revolting in 1776, Britain had been deprived of its outlet for the criminals that were overfilling its goals, and so Australia was chosen as the new location for its overseas prison.
Why did the free settlers come to Australia?
The English free settlers went to Australia to be free. They wanted to make money as well. They also wanted to explore Australian families who wanted a better life with their children. Some people called the English Free settlers "pilgrims".
What was Australia originally called?
New HollandAfter Dutch navigators charted the northern, western and southern coasts of Australia during the 17th Century this newly found continent became known as 'New Holland'. It was the English explorer Matthew Flinders who made the suggestion of the name we use today.
Who were the first Europeans?
The first Europeans came from Africa via the Middle East and settled there about 43,000 years ago. But some of those pioneers, such as a 40,000-year-old individual from Romania, have little connection to today's Europeans, Reich says. His team studied DNA from 51 Europeans and Asians who lived 7000 to 45,000 years ago.
Who were the first settlers in Australia and where did they come from?
On January 26, 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip guides a fleet of 11 British ships carrying convicts to the colony of New South Wales, effectively founding Australia.
Who lived in Australia first?
Aboriginal people are known to have occupied mainland Australia for at least 65,000 years. It is widely accepted that this predates the human settlement of Europe and the Americas. Increasingly sophisticated dating methods are helping us gain a more accurate understanding of how people came to be in Australia.
Who lived in Australia before the British?
aboriginesHISTORICAL BACKGROUND Australian Prehistory: Humans are thought to have arrived in Australia about 30,000 years ago. The original inhabitants, who have descendants to this day, are known as aborigines. In the eighteenth century, the aboriginal population was about 300,000.
First Fleet convicts - State Library of New South Wales
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors are kindly advised that this website includes images, sounds and names of people who have passed.. All users should be aware that some topics or historical content may be culturally sensitive, offensive or distressing, and that some images may contain nudity or are of people not yet identified.Certain words, terms or descriptions may reflect the ...
1788 - Before European Settlement - Parliament of New South Wales
Aboriginal Land From at least 60,000 B.C. the area that was to become New South Wales was inhabited entirely by indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with traditional social, legal organisation and land rights.
What was the colony of New South Wales?
The British colony of New South Wales was established in 1788 as a penal colony . After the American War of Independence, Britain, in a time of social upheaval at the beginnings of massive agricultural, industrial and social change, was faced with overcrowded prisons and prison ships and no suitable destination to transport their convicts Lieutenant James Cook's discovery and annexation for Britain of the east coast of Australia in 1770, now aroused new interest. In particular, Sir Jospeh Banks, the influential Botanist who had accompanied Cook on the voyage, strongly supported "Botany Bay" as a site for a new British settlement and convict colony. For this and for related strategic and commercial reasons, the British government decided, to embark on the new settlement project.
Who were the first judges of the peace in Australia?
Originally, Governor Phillip, Lieutenant-Governor Ross and Judge Advocate David Collins acted as Justices of the Peace. Phillip was later given the right to appoint additional Justices of the Peace. Like their English counterparts, these Justices of the Peace, or magistrates, undertook both judicial and administrative duties.
What did the New South Wales military do?
The officers quickly gained significant land holdings and monopoly control over trade, especially of rum and alcohol imports.
What happened to the New South Wales Corps?
The New South Wales Corps remained in control until 1810 when the British government sent a new Governor (Macquarie) with his own regiment, disbanding the New South Wales Corps.
What was the first sign of change?
The arrival of the first free settlers, five single men and two families, in 1793 was the first sign of a need for change. The number of free settlers and merchants steadily grew, as did the number of native born people and convicts who had served their time and were now free citizens. And, as the size and importance of the free citizenry grew in relation to that of the convicts and military, so, inevitably, would also grow a demand for democratic change.
Who were the early governors of New South Wales?
The Early Governors of New South Wales. Governor Phillip (1788-92) was succeeded as Governor by Governors John Hunter, 1795-1800, Philip Gidley King, 1800-06, and William Bligh, 1806-08 (the famous Captain Bligh of the "Mutiny on the Bounty"). Until 1824, the military governors of New South Wales were absolute rulers, ...
Where did the convicts settle?
Finding the area unsuitable for settlement, they actually settled at Sydney Cove in Port Jackson ( or Sydney Harbour as it is better known) on January 26, the date now celebrated nationally as "Australia Day".
When did the first colony of Australia start?
On 13th May 1787, the First Fleet consisting of 11 ships and 1300 people left England to found a penal colony in far away Australia. Upon landing eight months later on the 18th – 20th January 1788, the Naval officers, their families and the convicts set about establishing the European settlement of Australia. The penal colony faced many hardships and very nearly starved to death in the early years of settlement. Australia wasn’t a land unoccupied but a land peopled by Indigenous Peoples, however in the eyes of the British, this translated as a land to occupy, a land vastly different to far away England.
Where was the first European burial in Australia?
Another of the priests was wounded at Pacific Island, died of his wounds and was buried at La Perouse, on the shore of Botany Bay, likely the first burial of a European on the East Coast of Australia. On Board the Boussole, the Diary of Julienne Fulbert – Christine Edwards.
How long did it take for Comte Laperouse to arrive at Botany Bay?
Comte Laperouse was conducting a scientific expedition around the world and stopped in Botany Bay for six weeks . A priest from the French ship was the first Catholic priest to say Mass on the shores of Australia. Another of the priests was wounded at Pacific Island, died of his wounds and was buried at La Perouse, on the shore of Botany Bay, likely the first burial of a European on the East Coast of Australia.
What are the issues in the first settlement?
Issues such as convicts, chain gangs, starvation and hangings are mentioned but very sensitively. We ‘meet’ convicts such as James Ruse who plays such an important role in the survival of the colony and is honoured today as a pioneer farmer. Highly recommend.
Where did the First Fleet go on their voyage?
We ‘visit’ the various places the First Fleet ‘put into’ on the long voyage to Botany Bay. John always manages to become involved in adventures. The book concludes with the Fleet’s arrival in Australia and the raising of the flag in Sydney Cove on 26th January 1788. Highly recommend.
Where did John and Sue go on the first Fleet?
John and Sue depart from England for Australia on the First Fleet. John’s father is a Captain of the Marines and the children belong to the small group of marine’s children who emigrated to Australia. Along the journey we learn of life on a ship, the diet and monotony.
Who was the Governor of Australia in An Uncommonly Fine Day?
An Uncommonly Fine Day- John Anthony King. Governor Phillip and crew sail into Sydney for the first time and “find the finest harbour in the world in which a thousand sail of the line may ride in the most perfect security”.
What was the main reason for the arrival of free settlers in Australia in the 1850s?
The wool industry and the gold rushes of the 1850s provided an impetus for free settlers to come to Australia. Scarcity of labour, the vastness of the land and new wealth based on farming, mining and trade made Australia a land of opportunity. Yet during this period, Indigenous Australians suffered enormously.
What is the history of Australia?
Australia's History. Before the arrival of European settlers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples inhabited most areas of the Australian continent. Each people spoke one or more of hundreds of separate languages, with lifestyles and cultural traditions that differed according to the region in which they lived.
How did the First World War affect Australia?
The impact of war. The First World War had a devastating impact on Australia. In 1914 the male population of Australia was less than 3 million, yet almost 400 000 of them volunteered to fight in the war. As many as 60 000 died and tens of thousands more were wounded.
What happened after the war in Australia?
After the war Australia entered a boom period. Millions of refugees and migrants arrived in Australia, many of them young people happy to embrace their new lives with energy and vigour. The number of Australians employed in the manufacturing industry had grown steadily since the beginning of the century.
What was the first act of the Commonwealth Parliament?
While one of the first acts of the new Commonwealth Parliament was to pass the Immigration Restriction Act 1901, which restricted migration to people of primarily European origin, this was dismantled after the Second World War. Today Australia has a global, non-discriminatory policy and is home to people from more than 200 countries.
How many languages are spoken in Australia?
Today Australia is one of the most cosmopolitan and dynamic societies in the world. Over 200 languages are spoken, with English the common language. The nation has thriving ethnic media, an international business reputation, an innovative artistic community, diverse religious and cultural activities and variety in foods, restaurants, fashion and architecture.
What did the founders of Australia want?
They wanted Australia to be harmonious, united and egalitarian, and had progressive ideas about human rights, the observance of democratic procedures and the value of a secret ballot.
When did Chinese immigrants come to Australia?
Chinese Immigration to Australia in the 1800s. First Nation Peoples lived on their land peacefully and sustainability for tens of thousands of years. But this once disease-free, culturally-rich and clean nation was disrupted and almost destroyed by the British settlers when they invaded with the First Fleet in 1788.
Why did the British government sell the land of the Sydney region?
Once Australia was incorrectly labelled as ‘terra nullius,’ the British government began to sell the land of the Sydney regions to free settlers and convicts who had served their sentences. This forced Aboriginal Peoples to move to other areas of their clan boundaries or remove themselves entirely from their Country.
How did colonization affect Aboriginal people?
Aboriginal Peoples’ health was greatly affected by colonisation due to the introduction of disease which decimated much of the population.
Why were the white settlers not harmed?
The white settlers were not harmed because of immunisation against smallpox that British infants were given called variolation. After smallpox devastated the population, measles, influenza, tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases followed, all having a significant effect on the wellbeing and population of Aboriginal clans. Consequently, the introduction of disease deeply affected the First Nation Peoples because they had no resistance or knowledge of treatment for contagious, viral diseases.
How did the virus spread across the Aboriginal people?
Although it is unclear whether the viruses were introduced by accident or by means of warfare, the diseases spread across Aboriginal nations. This resulted in a dramatic decrease in the population. The location impacted the most by the introduction of disease was the Sydney population of First Nation Peoples. A smallpox epidemic broke out among the clans after contact, decimating an estimated 80% of the population.
How did the environment affect the First Nation?
The environment was critically impacted when the British arrived because of the introduction of invasive species, which damaged the Aboriginal Peoples agricultural land . The First Nation Peoples were incredibly intelligent and resourceful with their land. They only took what was necessary and lived a sustainable life through their complex agricultural system.
What were the consequences of the introduction of European species and ignorant agricultural techniques of the British?
The environment suffered considerably under the introduction of European species and ignorant agricultural techniques of the British, which then lead to dietary colonisation of the Aboriginal Peoples.
What was the colony of New South Wales?
The British colony of New South Wales was established in 1788 as a penal colony . After the American War of Independence, Britain, in a time of social upheaval at the beginnings of massive agricultural, industrial and social change, was faced with overcrowded prisons and prison ships and no suitable destination to transport their convicts Lieutenant James Cook's discovery and annexation for Britain of the east coast of Australia in 1770, now aroused new interest. In particular, Sir Jospeh Banks, the influential Botanist who had accompanied Cook on the voyage, strongly supported "Botany Bay" as a site for a new British settlement and convict colony. For this and for related strategic and commercial reasons, the British government decided, to embark on the new settlement project.
Who were the first judges of the peace in Australia?
Originally, Governor Phillip, Lieutenant-Governor Ross and Judge Advocate David Collins acted as Justices of the Peace. Phillip was later given the right to appoint additional Justices of the Peace. Like their English counterparts, these Justices of the Peace, or magistrates, undertook both judicial and administrative duties.
What did the New South Wales military do?
The officers quickly gained significant land holdings and monopoly control over trade, especially of rum and alcohol imports.
What happened to the New South Wales Corps?
The New South Wales Corps remained in control until 1810 when the British government sent a new Governor (Macquarie) with his own regiment, disbanding the New South Wales Corps.
What was the first sign of change?
The arrival of the first free settlers, five single men and two families, in 1793 was the first sign of a need for change. The number of free settlers and merchants steadily grew, as did the number of native born people and convicts who had served their time and were now free citizens. And, as the size and importance of the free citizenry grew in relation to that of the convicts and military, so, inevitably, would also grow a demand for democratic change.
Who were the early governors of New South Wales?
The Early Governors of New South Wales. Governor Phillip (1788-92) was succeeded as Governor by Governors John Hunter, 1795-1800, Philip Gidley King, 1800-06, and William Bligh, 1806-08 (the famous Captain Bligh of the "Mutiny on the Bounty"). Until 1824, the military governors of New South Wales were absolute rulers, ...
Where did the convicts settle?
Finding the area unsuitable for settlement, they actually settled at Sydney Cove in Port Jackson ( or Sydney Harbour as it is better known) on January 26, the date now celebrated nationally as "Australia Day".

Overview
Colonisation
The decision to establish a colony in Australia was made by Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney. This was taken for two reasons: the ending of transportation of criminals to North America following the American Revolution, as well as the need for a base in the Pacific to counter French expansion. Approximately 50,000 convicts are estimated to have been transported to the …
European exploration
While the actual date of original exploration in Australia is unknown, there is evidence of exploration by William Dampier in 1699, and the First Fleet arrived in 1788, eighteen years after Lt. James Cook surveyed and mapped the entire east coast aboard HM Bark Endeavour in 1770. In October 1795 George Bass and Matthew Flinders, accompanied by William Martin, sailed the boat Tom Thum…
Aboriginal resistance and accommodation
Aboriginal reactions to the arrival of British settlers were varied, but often hostile when the presence of the colonists led to competition over resources, and to the occupation of Aboriginal lands. European diseases decimated Aboriginal populations, and the occupation of land and degradation of food resources sometimes led to starvation. By contrast with New Zealand, no valid treaty wa…
Politics and government
Traditional Aboriginal society had been governed by councils of elders and a corporate decision-making process, but the first European-style governments established after 1788 were autocratic and run by appointed governors—although English law was transplanted into the Australian colonies by virtue of the doctrine of reception, thus notions of the rights and processes established by …
Economy and trade
The instructions provided to the first five governors of New South Wales show that the initial plans for the colony were limited. The settlement was to be a self-sufficient penal colony based on subsistence agriculture. Trade, shipping and ship building were banned in order to keep the convicts isolated and so as not to interfere with the trade monopoly of the British East India Company. There wa…
Religion, education, and culture
Since time immemorial in Australia, Indigenous people had performed the rites and rituals of the animist religion of the Dreamtime. The permanent presence of Christianity in Australia however, came with the arrival of the First Fleet of British convict ships at Sydney in 1788. As a British colony, the predominant Christian denomination was the Church of England, but one tenth of all the convicts wh…
Representations in literature and film
• Marcus Clarke's 1874 novel, For the Term of his Natural Life, and the 1983 television adaptation of the novel.
• Eleanor Dark's 1947 Timeless Land trilogy, which spans the colonisation from 1788 to 1811. The 1980s television drama, The Timeless Land, was based on this trilogy.
• D. Manning Richards. Destiny in Sydney: An epic novel of convicts, Aborigines, and Chinese embroiled in the birth of Sydney, Australia. First book in Sydney series. Washingt…
• Marcus Clarke's 1874 novel, For the Term of his Natural Life, and the 1983 television adaptation of the novel.
• Eleanor Dark's 1947 Timeless Land trilogy, which spans the colonisation from 1788 to 1811. The 1980s television drama, The Timeless Land, was based on this trilogy.
• D. Manning Richards. Destiny in Sydney: An epic novel of convicts, Aborigines, and Chinese embroiled in the birth of Sydney, Australia. First book in Sydney series. Washington DC: Aries Books, 2012. ISBN 9…