Australia's history spans over 65,000 years — from Aboriginal peoples, European discovery, British colonization, Federation, two world wars, to modern multicultural nation.
Aboriginal Australia (65,000 BC - 1788 AD)
Aboriginal peoples arrived from Asia 65,000 years ago — oldest continuous culture on Earth. 250+ distinct nations, 700+ languages. Connection to land through Dreamtime stories.
European Discovery (1606-1788)
Dutch explorer Willem Janszoon first European to land on Australia 1606. James Cook claimed eastern coast for Britain 1770. First Fleet of 11 ships arrived Sydney Cove January 26, 1788 with 1500 people including 750 convicts.
Convict Era and Colonization (1788-1900)
162,000 convicts transported from Britain 1788-1868. Six British colonies established. Gold rushes 1850s tripled population. Aboriginal population devastated by disease and dispossession.
Federation (1901)
January 1, 1901 — six colonies federated into Commonwealth of Australia. First PM Edmund Barton. White Australia Policy 1901-1973 restricted non-European immigration.
World Wars and ANZAC (1914-1945)
Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) fought at Gallipoli 1915 — 8000 Australians killed. WWII — Japan bombed Darwin 1942. American alliance through MacArthur.
Post-war Multicultural Australia (1945-today)
Post-war immigration from Europe, then Asia. White Australia Policy abolished 1973. Aboriginal voting rights 1962, citizenship 1967. Native title Mabo case 1992. Apology to Stolen Generations 2008. 26 million population, 30% born overseas.