colonies

Historical diagrams showing the subdivision of Australia, 1904. The borders and states of Australia evolved between 1788 and 1911, when the Australian Capital Territory was created. Queensland was separated from New South Wales as a colony in 1859. The western Queensland border was extended in June 1862, creating the present Queensland shape. From The Lady Northcote atlas of Australasia, Sydney, H.E.C. Robinson, 1908. Collection of the National Library of Australia