Colonial Era — 1788–1900

The arrival of the First Fleet in January 1788 marked the beginning of a penal colony at Warrane (Sydney Cove). Throughout the 19th century, settlements spread from New South Wales into new territories. The introduction of pastoral farming and the allocation of land grants reshaped the environment and economy, often leading to frontier conflicts and the displacement of Indigenous populations from their ancestral lands.

Settlers and Self-Governance

While convict labor was foundational, the population of free migrants increased consistently. The establishment of colonial constitutions led to the formation of elected legislative bodies and responsible governance, integrating British legal and political customs into the new colonial structures.

The Impact of the Gold Rush

Beginning in 1851, major gold discoveries in New South Wales and Victoria sparked a wave of international migration. This boom led to the rapid growth of new towns, the proliferation of newspapers, and the rise of community organizations. Public discourse surrounding mining rights, law enforcement, and political representation was instrumental in forming the democratic principles of the era.

Migration and Discriminatory Policies

Immigrants, including significant Chinese populations, made vital contributions to mining, commerce, and farming, but they often encountered prejudice and hostility. Towards the end of the century, calls for racially-based immigration restrictions laid the groundwork for the exclusionary policies of the early federal government.

The Path to Federation

By the 1890s, a convergence of common interests—including national defense, trade tariffs, and a burgeoning sense of a unified identity—drove the colonies to collaborate on a constitution for a new federated nation.