Territorial evolution of Australia

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This is a list of the evolution of the borders of the colonies and later states of Australia. It lists each change to the internal and external borders of Australia before and after Federation.

Map showing the territorial evolution of Australia.

Pre-Federation

7 February 1788

The first British colony in Australia, New South Wales, is proclaimed. On July 16 1825 the western border of New South Wales is extended to 129° E.
The colony of New South Wales is founded. New South Wales, according to Arthur Phillip's amended Commission dated 25 April 1787, includes "all the islands adjacent in the Pacific Ocean" and running westward to the 135th meridian east.[1] This included the islands of New Zealand. When drawing up the territorial boundaries of the colony of New South Wales, established in 1788, the British government set its western boundary at the meridian of 135° East of Greenwich, as it appeared on Melchisédech Thévenot's chart, Hollandia Nova‒‒Terre Australe, published in Relations de Divers Voyages Curieux (Paris, 1663).[2]

1810

Macquarie Island is annexed by New South Wales

16 July 1825

On July 16 1825 the western border of New South Wales is extended to 129° E. On December 3 1825, the island of Van Diemen's Land is split off from NSW and the colony of Van Diemen's Land is created. On May 2 1829 Charles Fremantle proclaims the Swan River Colony, which occupies the rest of the Australian mainland.
New South Wales' western border is extended to 129° E.[1]
3 December 1825
The colony of Van Diemen's Land is proclaimed.[1]

2 May 1829

On May 2 1829 Charles Fremantle proclaims the Swan River Colony, which occupies the rest of the Australian mainland. On February 6 1832, Swan River changes its name to Western Australia.
Swan River Colony is declared by Charles Fremantle for Britain.[1][3]

6 February 1832

On February 6 1832, Swan River changes its name to Western Australia. On December 28 1836, a southern portion of New South Wales is split off and proclaimed as the separate colony of South Australia.
Swan River Colony has its name changed to Western Australia.[1]

28 December 1836

On December 28 1836, a southern portion of New South Wales is split off and proclaimed as the separate colony of South Australia. On May 21 1840 the colony of New Zealand is merged with New South Wales.
The colony of South Australia is proclaimed with its western border set at 132° E.[1]

21 May 1840

New Zealand is formally annexed to New South Wales.

16 November 1840

The colony of New Zealand is proclaimed by Letters Patent. Although not represented on a map here, New South Wales was significantly reduced in size by this proclamation. Separation was effected on 3 May 1841.

17 February 1846

Since 1836, New Zealand was claimed as part of New South Wales on May 21 1840, and then proclaimed as a separate colony on November 16th. A northwestern portion of New South Wales was also organised as the separate colony of North Australia. On April 15 1847 North Australia was dissolved and reincorporated into New South Wales.
The colony of North Australia was proclaimed by Letters Patent on 17 February. This was all of New South Wales north of 26° S.

15 April 1847

On April 15 1847 North Australia was dissolved and reincorporated into New South Wales. On July 1 1851 a southeastern portion of New South Wales is separated and becomes the colony of Victoria.
The colony of North Australia was revoked and reincorporated into New South Wales.

1 July 1851

On July 1 1851 a southeastern portion of New South Wales is separated and becomes the colony of Victoria. On January 1 1856 Van Diemen's Land changes its name to Tasmania.
The colony of Victoria is proclaimed.[1]

1 January 1856

On January 1 1856 Van Diemen's Land changes its name to Tasmania. The colony of Queensland is created when a large northeastern part of New South Wales is separated. Queensland's original western border is at 141° E.
Van Diemen's Land name is changed to Tasmania.[1]

6 June 1859

The colony of Queensland is created when a large northern part of New South Wales is separated. Queensland's original western border is at 141° E. In 1860 South Australia changes its border from 132° E to 129° E.
The colony of Queensland is proclaimed by Letters Patent, with its western border set at 141° E, and settlement began on 10 December that year.[1]

1860

In 1860 South Australia changes its border from 132° E to 129° E. In 1862 Queensland's western border is moved to 139°E.
South Australia border changed from 132° E to 129° E.[1]

1862

In 1862 Queensland's western border is moved to 139°E. On July 6 1863 the parts of New South Wales north of South Australia are transferred to South Australia by Letters Patent.
Queensland's western border is moved to 139° E.[1]

6 July 1863

On July 6 1863 the parts of New South Wales north of South Australia were transferred to South Australia by Letters Patent. In 1890 Macquarie Island is transferred from New South Wales to Tasmania.
That part of New South Wales to the north of South Australia was annexed to South Australia by Letters Patent.[1]

1890

Macquarie Island is transferred from New South Wales to Tasmania.

Post-Federation

1 January 1901

The colonies are federated into the Commonwealth of Australia on January 1 1901. Thus, all colonies are admitted into the Commonwealth as States. On January 1 1911 the Federal Capital Territory is created within New South Wales. On the same day the northern half of South Australia is ceded to the Commonwealth as the Northern Territory.
The Commonwealth of Australia was formed, uniting the British colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. Note that the Northern Territory was under South Australian administration at Federation.[1]

1 January 1911

On January 1 1911 the Federal Capital Territory is created within New South Wales. On the same day the northern half of South Australia is ceded to the Commonwealth as the Northern Territory. On July 12 1915 a small portion of New South Wales is ceded to the FCT.
The Federal Capital Territory was created within New South Wales, and the Northern Territory was split off from South Australia.[1]

12 July 1915

On July 12 1915 a small portion of New South Wales is ceded to the Federal Capital Territory. On March 1 1927 the Northern Territory is split into the territories of North and Central Australia.
The coastal area now known as the Jervis Bay Territory is added to the Federal Capital Territory.

1 March 1927

On March 1 1927 the Northern Territory is split into the territories of North and Central Australia. On June 12 1931 the two territories are dissolved and the Northern Territory is reinstated.
The Northern Territory was split into the territories of North Australia and Central Australia.

12 June 1931

On June 12 1931 the territories of North and Central Australia are dissolved and the Northern Territory is reinstated. On July 29 1938 the Federal Capital Territory's name is changed to the Australian Capital Territory.
North Australia and Central Australia were reunited as the Northern Territory.

29 July 1938

On July 29 1938 the Federal Capital Territory's name is changed to the Australian Capital Territory. The Jervis Bay Territory is created on May 11 1989 when the coastline portions of the ACT ceded from New South Wales are split off. JBT becomes Australia's third mainland territory. The ACT is granted self-government. The creation of the Jervis Bay Territory completes the evolution of Australia's mainland territories.
The Federal Capital Territory's changed its name to the Australian Capital Territory.[1]

11 May 1989

The Jervis Bay Territory is created on May 11 1989 when the coastline portions of the Australian Capital Territory ceded from New South Wales are split off. JBT becomes Australia's third mainland territory. The ACT is granted self-government. The creation of the Jervis Bay Territory completes the evolution of Australia's mainland territories.
The Jervis Bay Territory becomes Australia's third mainland territory when the Australian Capital Territory is granted self government.

External Territories

1 July 1914

Norfolk Island is transferred from New South Wales to the Commonwealth of Australia

23 July 1931

Ashmore Island and the Cartier Islands are transferred from Britain to Australia

13 June 1933

The Australian Antarctic Territory is transferred from Britain

26 June 1947

Heard Island and the McDonald Islands are transferred from Britain

23 November 1955

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are transferred from Singapore to Australia

1 October 1958

Christmas Island is transferred from Britain

30 September 1969

The Coral Sea Islands Territory is transferred from Queensland to the Commonwealth of Australia

Former External Territories

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Sir Joseph Banks, 'Draft of proposed Introduction to Captn Flinders Voyages', November 1811; State Library of New South Wales, The Papers of Sir Joseph Banks, Series 70.16; quoted in Robert J. King, "Terra Australis, New Holland and New South Wales: the Treaty of Tordesillas and Australia", The Globe, no.47, 1998, pp.35–55, p.35.
  3. ↑ Acting under instructions from England, Captain Fremantle took possession of the Swan River, to found a new colony; and formally laid claim to "all that part of New Holland which is not included within the territory of New South Wales".

External links

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