On This Day
On this day: Australia’s first atomic bomb test
On 3 October 1952, Britain tested its first atomic weapon off the coast of Western Australia.
Category: On This Day
History & Culture
On this day: Sturt begins river exploration
In 1828 Charles Sturt began an exploration of the puzzling westward-flowing rivers and Australia’s inland sea.
History & Culture
On this day: Abel Tasman sights Tasmania
On this day in 1642, Dutch explorer Abel Tasman first sighted Van Deimen’s Land, which is now Tasmania.
History & Culture
On this day: Mawson sets sail for Antarctica
One century ago today, Sir Douglas Mawson set off on the first Australian expedition to Antarctica.
On This Day
Birth of the Australian Empire?
1804’s Castle Hill Rebellion was the first Australian convict uprising, a violent and chaotic attempt to overthrow the colonial authorities.
History & Culture
On this day: Australia’s last convict ship docks
Australia’s last convict ship, The Blackwall Frigate Hougoumont, unloads the final 279 convicts in WA.
History & Culture
On this day in history: Australia’s first stamp released
Nearly a century ago, the first stamp in Australia was released.
History & Culture
On this day: Uluru given its Aboriginal name
On 15 December 1993, Uluru was officially given a dual name, recognising its importance to Aboriginal people.
History & Culture
On this day: women get the federal vote
On this day, in 1903, Australian women were given the right to vote in federal elections.
On This Day
On this day: Sydney Harbour Bridge opens
The ceremony was fraught with felony on the official birthday of the Sydney Harbour Bridge on 19 March 1932.