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| A brief HISTORY of Queensland |
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| Scroll down for information about the History of Aboriginal People in Queensland, European Settlement in Queensland |
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The first Aborigines are thought to have arrived in what is now northern
Australia, including Queensland, around 50,000 years ago (maybe earlier),
when New Guinea was still connected to mainland Australia. These first
Australians are almost certainly of Asian origin – significant
similarities have been noted with other aboriginal groups such the Mundas of
central India and the Veddans of Sri Lanka. By the early 1800’s the
Queensland Aboriginies had suffered cruel massacres and been largely run off
their traditional lands. The survivors were confined to small reserve areas
where peoples of different tribes and cultures were bundled together by the
European authorities. It was not until 1980 that control of these reserves,
now called ‘communities’, was transferred to the residents. Even then
these freehold grants are subject to a right of access exploration,
prospecting and mining. Tourism however has been the catalyst for a new
appreciation of Aboriginal tribal lore, culture and art, not only in
Queensland but Australia wide.
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In 1824 a convict settlement was established at Redcliffe on Moreton Bay,
near Brisbane. These first Queensland convicts were mainly those who had
committed further crimes since their arrival in Sydney. They suffered a
wretched existence at their new northern base and many died. Due to a water
shortage the penal settlement was soon transferred up river to what is now
central Brisbane (named after Sir Thomas Brisbane the then Governor of New
South Wales). In 1842 the transportation of convicts ended and the area was
opened up for free settlement. Queensland became a separate colony,
independent of NSW, in 1859. In 1885 a colonial prison was established
on St Helena Island www.sthelenaisland.com.au
in Moreton Bay, close to Brisbane - in ceased as a prison in 1932 (see
picture at top of page).
With gold and other mineral discoveries during
the 1860’s and 1870’s, the Queensland population and economy began to
expand rapidly. Additionally, a highly successful sugar cane industry was
soon established, albeit at the expense of large areas of pristine rainforest.
Mining and agriculture remain lynchpins of the Queensland economy with
tourism also now a major economic sector.Although NSW, NT and WA would all dispute this, Outback Queensland is probably the most closely identified region with the emergence during the 1800s of the iconic Australian outback stockman, and in Longreach the 'Stockman's Hall of Fame' centre (pictured) was established in 1988. |
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| Truly Australia have attempted to give an honest and objective description of the topics covered on this page and have deliberately avoided regurgitating tourist office media releases. The information shown has been compiled from a variety of reputable sources and our own experiences. We check and review this information from time to time, but we assume no responsibility for the absolute accuracy of the details given. |
