1789 Australia’s first free farmer
Although James Ruse was Australia's first free farmer, he began farming while still a convict. At the age of 23,… Read More
1780s
1788 Parramatta settled by colonists
Founded in 1788 as the colony's second settlement, Parramatta means "the place where the eels lie" in the Dharug Aboriginal… Read More
1788 Government farm established
A priority for the first settlers was to cultivate the land and begin producing their own food. Within two months… Read More
1788 First apple trees in Tasmania
Early explorers did not hesitate to introduce familiar plants to the places they visited. In 1788, William Bligh anchored the… Read More
1788 First official banquet
The first official banquet in the new colony was held to celebrate the King’s birthday on 4 June. The occasion… Read More
1788 Farming on Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island was settled by a party under the command of Lieutenant King just five weeks after the First Fleet… Read More
1788 First colonists on tight rations
The first colonists had a meagre diet. In the first year of European settlement at Port Jackson, adults received a… Read More
1787 First fleet provisions
Among the 11 ships that set sail for Botany Bay on May 13 1787, three - Golden Grove, Fishburn and Borrowdale - were store… Read More