• An Account of the English Colony in New South Wales
  [Volume 1 by David Collins]
  Available as a download in several formats. The Second Volume can be found here.
• Australia 1787-1863 : the shrinking of New South Wales
  Some general information, a listing of dates and diagrams. Comments from other people.
• Bigge, John Thomas
  English judge and Royal Commissioner. Covers The Bigge Inquiry, his death, several external links and references. From wikipedia. There is also an extensive biography in the Australian Dictionary of Biography Online.
• Captain Arthur Phillip :
• Governor Phillip’s Instructions 25 April 1787
  General information, and access to the transcript in both .pdf and .rtf formats.
• Phillip, Arthur
  First Fleet Commander and First Governor. This provides not only a biography of the man but also considerable detail covering his time as Governor. From the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
• The Voyage of Governor Phillip to Botany Bay
  [Arthur Phillip]
  Text based ebook [Free] of 23 chapters and several appendices. It actually extends beyond the specific voyage to the land they arrived in. ‘This book includes the Journals of Lieutenants Shortland, Watts, Ball and Captain Marshall, with an account of their new discoveries.’
• Castle Hill Convict Rebellion
  Covers the rising, the Battle of Vinegar Hill, the aftermath, further references.
• Cobb & Co Heritage Trail
  ‘Today’s traveller can follow the award winning Cobb & Co Heritage Trail along highways and byways between Bathurst and Bourke and witness the relics of these long gone coaching days - many recognizable, some mere shadows of their former selves.’ Education kit available. Gallery, links, video.
• Early Colonial History
  [Botany Bay as a Penal Colony]
  An article looking at the decision to choose Botany Bay for a penal colony.
• First Fleet, Australia’s
  Find out about The First Fleet and links to additional information.
• First Fleet Online
  ‘First Fleet Online consists of information about the convicts who were transported to Australia in 1787.’ It contains a database of all convicts, source information, diary extracts, stories and letters, investigation suggestions, references and links to further specific topics.
• Indexes Online
  [State Records Authority of New South Wales]
  Access information including censuses, convict information, Colonial Secretary Papers, Court & Police Records, shipping records, land records and more. Printed copies are Fee-based.
• Macquarie, Lachlan
  A pivotal Governor in the early history of the colony. Provides a biography, but also information about his time in the colony and what he did with links to related people such as Marsden, Simeon Lord, Dr Redfern and others including Bigge, who reported on the affairs of the colony. From the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
• Norfolk Island - The First Settlement
  This gives a brief rundown of the establishment of a colony on Norfolk Island. The second settlement there is covered through this site at Hell of the Pacific. Norfolk Island became a Secondary Punishment Colony along with Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Moreton Bay and Van Diemen’s Land [Tasmania].
• Religion, Church & Missions in Australia
  [The Early Years]
  Covers men of the cloth, individuals such as Johnson, Marsden and Macquarie, places of worship and more, using text and images over several linked pages. From the State Library of NSW.
• Rum Rebellion
  Covers Bligh, his arrival in Sydney, enmity with Macarthur, his overthrow, the aftermath, the causes and references. From wikipedia.
• The Colony of New South Wales : 1788-1826
  ‘This seven part series written and presented by Tim Dehn is a personal exploration of some of the music that has been created and performed in Australia since 1788, together with stories of some of the people, places and events in this country’s history.’ This is the first in the series.

Queensland

• Brisbane’s Brutal Convict Heritage
  A short article detailing this heritage.
• Brisbane, Sir Thomas Makdougall
  The NSW Governor after whom the city and the river were named and who arranged the establishment of the colony there. From the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
• Establishing Queensland’s Borders
  Information from the Queensland Government and covering the period from 1822 on.
• History
  [Queensland Government]
  Has several sections including Settlement and Early Development.
• History of Brisbane
  The early sections of this site cover European exploration, The Penal Colony, free settlement and development in the early years of the colony. From wikipedia.
• Letters Patent Erecting Colony of Queensland
  [6 June 1859 [UK]]
  Get a full transcript [.pdf or .rtf], find why it is important, how it happened and what it looks like.
• Logan, Captain Patrick
  ‘Regarded by many historians as the true founder of Queensland’, but by others as brutal Commandant of the Penal Colony until his death in 1830. From the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
• Moreton Bay [Brisbane] Convict Records
  Information and links from the State Library of NSW.
• Moreton Bay Database
  Database of events, people, etc., to 1999 plus links to related pages, including history and further links in particular.

South Australia

• Emigrant’s Guide to Australia
  View a virtual book here, with a description and details via the initial link. There are a range of other virtual books at this site though many of them are from later in the colony’s life.
• Events and Statistics
  [In South Australian History 1834-1857]
  ‘Covering the period from settlement of the Colony to the commencement of responsible Government.’ Done in point form by years.
• German Settlers in South Australia
  The first of these arrived in 1836 with German settlers spreading across the state but also being found in large groupings in areas such as the Barossa.
• Hindmarsh, Sir John
  First Governor. From the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
• History of Adelaide
  Covers Aboriginal Settlement, early European interest and settlement, the first years and later developments. From wikipedia.
• Light, Colonel William
  Surveyor-General in the early colony.
• Organizing a Colony
  Article about the process involved.
• Plan for a Colony
  A short background article and references.
• SA Memory - Timeline
  Load a timeline, find timeline images, access timeline resources. There are also other sections on the site which may prove of value.
• South Australian Company
  Very brief information about the company that developed the new settlement in South Australia. Embedded links to the main people involved, From wikipedia.
• South Australian History
  Broken down into time section beginning with Pre 1836. Each section contains information and embedded links to further specific information. You also have access to an alphabetical listing of places and people important in South Australia’s development.
• The Course of Settlement
  [Atlas of South Australia 1986]
  This is the first in a series of pages which the settlement and development of South Australia. Based on a mix of topics and years.
• The Foundation of South Australia, 1800-1851
  ‘The Foundation of South Australia 1800-1851 explores and illustrates the pioneering phase: exploration, emigration, early contacts with indigenous peoples, establishing a colony. Explore early resources : read first-hand accounts in diaries and letters, view artistic impressions, research records including papers of William Light, the South Australian Company … and more.’
• Wakefield, Edward Gibbon
  Immigration promoter and the man behind the push to settle South Australia as a free settlement. From the Australian Dictionary of Biography.

Tasmania

• Arthur, Sir George
  [Lieutenant-Governor]
  Biography, including extensive information on his time in Tasmania. From the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
• Black Line, The
  Short article, with embedded links, covering the attempt to ‘corral’ all the Aborigines in Tasmania. From wikipedia.
• Black War
  ‘The Black War refers to a period of conflict between the British colonists and Tasmanian Aborigines in Van Diemen’s Land [now Tasmania] in the early years of the 19th century.’ See a range of references including literary references. From wikipedia.
• Collins, David
  [Deputy Judge Advocate NSW and Lieutenant-Governor Tas.]
  Biography and considerable information about his role in NSW and the setting up of the colony in Van Diemen’s Land. From the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
• Constitution Act 1855 [Tas]
  Get a full transcript [.pdf or .rtf], find why it is important, how it happened and what it looks like.
• Convicts on the West Coast of Tasmania
  ‘The use of the West Coast as an outpost to house convicts in isolated penal settlements occurred in the era 1822-1833, and 1846-1847.’ Includes information about Macquarie Harbour. From wikipedia. Further information about the Macquarie Harbour Penal Station can also be found at this site, also from wikipedia.
• History of Tasmania
  Done as a timeline in sections, with embedded links. While it goes to the present day there are sections for Indigenous people, pre 1800, 1800-1809, 1810-1819, 1820-1829, 1830-1839, 1840-1849, 1850-1859 and 1860-1869. From wikipedia.
• Index to Early Land Grants
  [In Van Diemen’s Land to 1824]
  ‘This index comprises a list of land grants in Van Diemen’s Land up until about 1824.’ Drawn from two major sources.
• Order in Council
  [Separating Van Diemen’s Land From New South Wales]
  A downloadable .pdf file of this Order.
• Robinson, George Augustus
  [Protector of Aboriginals]
  Biography plus extensive information on his role and actions and relationship with Arthur. From the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
• Truganini
  Covers her early life, final years & legacy, cultural references, references and external links. From wikipedia. Also check the entry for Trugernanner [Truganini] in the Australian Dictionary of Biography.

Victoria

• Australian Constitutions Act 1850 [UK]
  An important, original document. Find its significance, history and why it happened. Also discover the effect on several state including Victoria. Transcripts available in .pdf and .rtf formats. View the actual document online.
• Batman, John
  Grazier, squatter, ‘purchaser’ and pioneer of Melbourne. From the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
• Buckley, William
  Convict, escapee, ‘wild white man’, indigenous culture recorder, public servant. Lived with the Aborigines in the Port Phillip district after escaping as a convict. From the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
• Explore Rare Manuscripts Online !
  From the State Library of Victoria. ‘The manuscripts listed below are the earliest and most important documents relating to the European settlement of Victoria. Previously only available to a few, these extremely fragile documents can now be explored by everyone.’ Each is an interactive experience.
• Fawkner, John Pascoe
  Landowner, politician, prisoner, publican, newspaper owner. Early Port Phillip settler. From the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
• Foundation of the Settlement of Melbourne
  Information from the City of Melbourne. Also has links to information about the first and second land sales and the incorporation of the Town of Melbourne and more.
• Foundation of Melbourne
  Covers exploration, settlement, Batman’s ‘Treaty’, Tasmanian settlement, establishment of Melbourne and the ‘true founder’. From wikipedia.
• Henty, Edward
  Framer, grazier, politician, settler. Involved in the settlement at Portland in Victoria. From the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
• History of Melbourne [1]
  Extends well beyond the colonial period, but there is a substantial section on the Early Years, with a range of embedded links. From wikipedia.
• History of Melbourne [2]
  A concise presentation covering the early years as well as later developments.
• Port Phillip, Victoria
  A summary of the early establishment with further links to related information, including maps and images.
• Timeline of Melbourne History
  While covering through to the present, there is quite a listing for the colonial period. From wikipedia.
• Wedge, John Helder
  Explorer. grazier. public servant, politician and most importantly, surveyor during the early years of Melbourne. From the Australian Dictionary of Biography.

Western Australia

• Albany
  [Western Australia’s First Settlement and Surrounding Districts]
  Article with embedded links.
• Colonial Office Circular, 5 December 1828
  A circular describing the intention to establish a free colony on the west coast of Australia. From wikipedia.
• Convict Era of Western Australia
  Convicts at King Georges Sound, the Free Settlement period, agitation for convicts, the convict era, end to transportation, later years, references and links. From wikipedia.
• Convict Records
  A wealth of information from the State Records Office, with general information incorporating a number of embedded links to aspects such as downloadable indexes and contact details for those seeking further information about these resources.
• History of Perth, Western Australia
  Covers Aboriginal history, early European exploration, Swan River Colony, the early years, Convicts and sections on the later nineteenth century and then the twentieth century/ From wikipedia.
• Land Grants in the Swan River Colony
  Covers land grants, improvement conditions, other land grants, changes to conditions and the effects on the indigenous people.
• Stirling, Sir James
  Biography of the founder of Western Australia. From the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
• Swan River Colony
  European exploration of the area, background to the settlement, settlement events references and links to further information. From wikipedia.
• The Centre for WA History
  Linked with the University of Western Australia. This is a Fee-based process, accessing this publication source. This page opens to Building a Colony : The Convict Legacy‘ [2006], while other relevant links are Historical Traces [1997] and Convictism in Western Australia [1981].
• The Convict Era
  A brief article about the convict period in Western Australia’s early period, after it had been established as a free colony. There is also a link to a Convict Database, listed in alphabetical order.
• Western Australia Documents
  Access a range of documents relevant to Western Australia. Each has a transcript in both .pdf or .rtf formats. They range from Instructions to the Admiralty to take formal possession of the western portion of the continent 5 November 1828 [UK] through to a 1978 document. The majority are from the early period of the colony.