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The Dutch were the first Europeans to sail to Australia. They did not settle there, but they made one landing and were attacked by the Aborigines, then abandoned further exploration.
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British Captain James Cook sailed around Australia and claimed the land for England. Sailors mapped the coast of Eastern Australia and Tasmanis.
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British ships left England with convicts to establish a prison colony
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British prisoners settled in Australia
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Remnants of the Aborigine tribes in the settled areas of Australia were moved onto reserves.
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Port Arthur, Tasmania was the destination for the hardest of convicted British and Irish Criminals, who had re-offended after they arrived in Australia.
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Government officials created bounderies for the Australian colonies that are still in place today.
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The Commonwealth of Australia was established.
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Restricted migration to people primarily of European descent.
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All legal ties with the British empire were severed.
