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Captain James Cook entered Botany Bay on the Endeavour
Captain James Cook entered Botany Bay on the Endeavour -
The British Government decided to create a penal colony in Botany Bay
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The First Fleet arrived in Botany Bay
A total of nine ships sailed into Botany Bay over three days, and Captain Arthur Phillip declared that it was not a suitable place to establish the first European Colony (which was to be run as an open prison; a prison with no walls). The fleet decided to travel 12 kilometres north to settle -
The Fleet settled in Sydney Cove
The Fleet settled in Sydney Cove in Port Jackson - where it was sheltered and fresh water and fertile soil made it hospitable -
Governor Phillip sets up a colony on Norfolk Island
In March 1788, Governor Phillip sent a small party to Norfolk Island to create a second colony. -
Second Fleet of ships arrives
A second fleet of 6 ships containing mainly convicts and much needed supplies arrived in 1790. Many of the convicts arrived too ill to work or help develop the colony, and many of the convicts (278) died on board -
Third Fleet of ships arrived
A third fleet of 11 ships arrived containing:
- convicts
- military personnel
- notable people to fill important positions in the colony -
The first 'free' settlers arrived
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New colony in Tasmania
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Exploration of the Blue Mountains
Exploration of the Blue Mountains by three free settlers who were wealthy landowners - Gregory Blaxland, William Wentworth, and William Lawson -
New Colony in Western Australia
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Increasing number of free settlers arriving
By the 1830s, Australia was recieving an increasing number of free settlers (as opposed to convicts) but there was still a huge labour shortage.
People on farms needed labourers to clear the land, plant crops and to take care of animals.
The expanding settlement meant that convict labour was not sufficient.
The preffered solution was to encourage more settlers, rather than having more convicts in the workforce. -
New colony in Victoria
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New colony in South Australia
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Convicts were no longer being sent to Australia
Sending convicts to Australia ended in 1840 when the population stood at around 1 million. There were enough people in Australia to sustain and develop the colonies. The convicts had served their purpose - with more than 100,000 convicts arriving in Australia since colonisation began.
