history of australia Archives

Defining Moments in Australian History: the Petrov affair

In April 1954, Soviet spies Vladimir and Evdokia Petrov, masquerading as Canberra diplomats, defected to Australia.

1895–1903: Australia’s worst drought since European settlement.

27 February 1902: Harry ‘Breaker’ Morant and Peter Handcock are executed.

One of Perth’s oldest buildings, the iconic Barracks Arch is affectionately known to some locals as the city’s very own Arc de Triomphe.

26 January 1788: A convict settlement is establish at Sydney Cove.

At Australia’s earliest surviving female convict site, women are being written back into history.

January 1900: Australia’s first case of bubonic plague reported.

The arrival of Father Christmas each December was a yearly highlight for children living along the Trans-Australian Railway.

It’s been 100 years since the last Cobb & Co coach ran in Australia, between the tiny towns of Surat and Yuleba in South West Queensland.

1797: Merino sheep introduced to Australia.