Defining Moments

Learn about the events, people and ideas that have shaped and defined Australia.

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Defining moment
Photograph of two men scraping a sample of paint from rock art. About 30,000 years ago

Earliest known rock art

Defining moment
Pigmented, wooden boomerang. About 20,000 years ago

Earliest evidence of the boomerang

Defining moment
Macassans at Victoria, Port Essington, drawn in 1845 by H.S. Melville 1700

Trade with the Makasar

Defining moment
Painting by John Hamilton Mortimer showing from left: Dr Daniel Solander, Sir Joseph Banks, Captain James Cook, Dr John Hawkesworth and Lord Sandwich. 1770

Cook claims Australia

Defining moment
The First Fleet entering Port Jackson, January 26, 1788, by E. Le Bihan. Drawn in 1888 1788

The First Fleet arrives at Sydney Cove

Defining moment
Pemulwuy 1792

Pemulwuy resists the colonists

Defining moment
Painting of a mountainous landscape. 1813

Europeans cross the Blue Mountains

Defining moment
The Plains, Bathurst, by John Lewin, about 1815 1815

Founding of Bathurst

Defining moment
Colourful illustration showing men pushing wheelbarrows on a construction site, with ships in the background. 1833

Convict transportation peaks

Defining moment
The Burke and Wills Exploring Expedition, Departure of the Expedition by A.H. Massina & Co. 1860

Burke and Wills cross the continent

Defining moment
A postcard featuring a coloured black and white photograph of a body of water through trees and a fence. Printed text describes the photograph as being the 'National Park' and is copyrighted 'Kerry & Co. (Copyright), Sydney.' 1879

Australia’s first national park

Defining moment
Sunset on the Lake Mungo lunette. 1968

Mungo Lady found