Australian Colonies

Australian colonies refer to the territories established by European powers in what is now Australia from the late 18th century onwards. Initially, the British established New South Wales in 1788 as a penal colony. Over time, other colonies were formed, including van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania), Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland. Each colony had its own government and administration. In 1901, these colonies united to form the Commonwealth of Australia, establishing a federal system of government while still retaining some individual state powers. The history of these colonies is crucial to understanding modern Australian society and governance.