Victorian history timeline
Add depth to your family history
This timeline begins from the time of British settlement in Victoria. It includes key events likely to interest family historians. Use this timeline to find ideas for adding depth to your family history.
9 Oct 1803
HMS Calcutta and supply ship Ocean with 402 people settled at Sullivan Bay, Port Phillip
May 1804
Sullivan Bay settlement abandoned
Nov 1826
Small convict settlement established at Corinella, Westernport
Apr 1828
Westernport settlement abandoned
Aug 1834
Port Phillip Association formed by group of Launceston investors
19 Nov 1834
Henty family from Tasmania (Van Diemen’s Land) established settlement at Portland
1835
Melbourne founded by John Batman. Unlit beacon established at Williamstown.
1836
Church birth death and marriage records start in Victoria (Port Phillip)
2 Sep 1836
Port Phillip census as part of NSW
Nov 1836
Census of sheep station owners, as part of NSW
12 Sep 1838
Census, as part of NSW
1840
Lighthouse established at Williamstown, Port Phillip
2 Mar 1841
Population census, as part of NSW
1842-43
Financial depression
This timeline begins from the time of British settlement in Victoria. It includes key events likely to interest family historians. Use this timeline to find ideas for adding depth to your family history.
9 Oct 1803
HMS Calcutta and supply ship Ocean with 402 people settled at Sullivan Bay, Port Phillip
May 1804
Sullivan Bay settlement abandoned
Nov 1826
Small convict settlement established at Corinella, Westernport
Apr 1828
Westernport settlement abandoned
Aug 1834
Port Phillip Association formed by group of Launceston investors
19 Nov 1834
Henty family from Tasmania (Van Diemen’s Land) established settlement at Portland
1835
Melbourne founded by John Batman. Unlit beacon established at Williamstown.
1836
Church birth death and marriage records start in Victoria (Port Phillip)
2 Sep 1836
Port Phillip census as part of NSW
Nov 1836
Census of sheep station owners, as part of NSW
12 Sep 1838
Census, as part of NSW
1840
Lighthouse established at Williamstown, Port Phillip
2 Mar 1841
Population census, as part of NSW
1842-43
Financial depression
1843
First parliamentary elections in Port Phillip. Only men with 200 pounds freehold or 20 pounds annual lease could vote. Sandstone lighthouse opened at Queenscliff
2 Mar 1846
Population census, as part of NSW (now destroyed)
Aug 1848
Cape Otway lighthouse opened in Victoria, Australia’s second mainland coastal light
1850
Voting eligibility changed. Men with 100 pounds freehold, 10 pounds annual lease or depasturing licence could vote.
1851
Gold rush starts in Victoria
6 Feb 1851
Black Thursday bushfires burnt 5 million hectares (a quarter of Victoria) and caused 12 fatalities
1 Mar 1851
Population census, as part of NSW (now destroyed)
1 Jul 1851
Colony of Victoria separated from New South Wales
11 Sep 1851
Elections for first Legislative Council of Victoria
6 Oct 1851
Melbourne Academy (Scotch College) opened
13 Nov 1851
Official opening of Victorian parliament
1852
Signal station established at Point Lonsdale, Victoria to help guide ships. Victorian census of Crown land occupiers
24 Dec 1852
Bushranger, Captain Frank Melville captured near Geelong, Victoria
1853
Wooden lighthouse opened at Queenscliff and Gabo Island lighthouse opened on east coast of Victoria
22 Jan 1853
Legislation passed to establish University of Melbourne
1 Jul 1853
Civil registration commenced in Victoria
26 Apr 1854
Victorian population census (now destroyed)
12 Sep 1854
First railway line in Australia opened between Melbourne and Sandridge, Victoria
3 Dec 1854
Eureka rebellion at Ballarat, Victoria
11 June 1855
Chinese Act received assent, limiting number of Chinese immigrants entering Victoria
8 Jan 1856
Melbourne first lit with gas
11 Feb 1856
Melbourne Public Library opened
19 Mar 1856
Electoral Act received assent, making Victoria the first place in the world to adopt secret ballot
12 May 1856
Eight hour day recognised
29 Mar 1857
Victorian population census (now destroyed)
24 Nov 1857
Voting eligibility changed. All male British subjects over 21 years could vote.
31 Dec 1857
Yan Yean Reservoir opened in Victoria
1859
Whaler’s Bluff (Portland), Griffith Island (Port Fairy), Middle Island (Warrnambool) and Beach (Warrnambool) lighthouses opened on far west coast of Victoria. Gellibrand Point Lightship (now Gellibrand Pile Light) established in Port Phillip. Cape Schanck and Wilson’s Promontory lighthouses opened on east coast of Victoria
21 Jul 1859
First Melbourne fire brigade opened
25 Dec 1859
Rabbits arrived in Melbourne
7 Apr 1861
Victorian population census (now destroyed)
1862
Queenscliff white and black lighthouses replace earlier sandstone and wooden lights
1863
Yarra River (Melbourne) largest flood on record. Lighthouse replaces signal station at Point Lonsdale.
1870
In Victoria Ovens River (Wangaratta) largest known flood, Murray River (Yarrawonga) largest known flood, Goulbourn, Campapse & Barwon River major floods
2 Apr 1871
Victorian population census (now destroyed)
1871-72
Middle Island lighthouse relocated to Lady Bay Upper and Beach lighthouse relocated to Lady Bay Lower lighthouse
1874
South Channel Pile light and Eastern lighthouse opened in Port Phillip Bay
Dec 1878
Kelly gang raided National Bank at Euroa and Faithfull Creek station
Feb 1879
Kelly gang raided Bank of New South Wales at Jerilderie
Jun 1880
Kelly gang took hostages at Glenrowan hotel
11 Nov 1880
Ned Kelly hanged at Melbourne Gaol
1880s
Economic boom
3 Apr 1881
Victorian population census (now destroyed)
1884
Cape Nelson lighhouse opened on far west coast of Victoria and Cliffy Island lighthouse opened on east coast of Victoria
1890
Point Hicks lighthouse opened on east coast of Victoria
1891
Victorian women’s suffrage petition. Eagles Nest Point lighthouse opened (later Split Point) in Victoria
5 Apr 1891
Victorian population census (now destroyed)
1893
Economic depression
1 Feb 1898
Red Tuesday bushfires burnt 260 000 hectares and caused fatalities in South Gippsland, Victoria
1 Jan 1901
Australian federation, Victoria became a state with Melbourne as the nation’s capital city
31 Mar 1901
Victorian population census (now destroyed)
1906
Maribyrnong River (Footscray) largest flood on record
1908
Women over 21 years could vote.
1909
Major floods of Loddon, Avoca, Yarrowee, Glenelg and Wimmera Rivers
1913
Cape Liptrap and Citadel Island lighthouses opened on east coast
1916
Major floods of Murray and Goulbourn Rivers
1917
Major floods of Murray and Ovens Rivers
1920
Tambo River (Bruthen) largest flood on record
1924
Port Melbourne lighthouses opened Feb-Mar
1926
Bushfires in Gippsland caused 60 fatalities
1927
Canberra replaced Melbourne as the national capital
1934
Largest floods on record of Bunyip River (Koo Wee Rup), Moe River (Moe) and LaTrobe River (Rosedale). Major floods of Yarra River (Melbourne) and Yea River (Yea)
1936
Major flood of Mitchell River (Bairnsdale)
1937
Major flood of Bunyip River (Koo Wee Rup)
13 Jan 1939
Black Friday bushfires burnt 1.5 to 2 million hectares and caused 71 fatalities
22 Dec 1943
Bushfire near Wangaratta burnt 100 000 hectares and caused 10 fatalities
14 Jan-14 Feb 1944
Bushfires in the Western district caused 15-20 fatalities
1946
Major floods of Glenelg, Merri and Moyne Rivers
1951
Gippsland Lakes largest flood on record
5 Feb 1952
Bushfire near Benalla caused several fatalities
1956
Melbourne hosted the Olympic Games. Major floods of Murray River (Mildura) and Campapse River (Rochester)
14-16 Jan 1962
Bushfires in Dandenong Ranges and outer Melbourne caused 32 fatalities
17 Jan 1965
Grass fire near Longwood caused 7 fatalities
8 Jan 1969
Multiple bushfires burnt 250 000 hectares and caused 23 fatalities
Feb 1971
Major flood of Cann River
Feb 1973
Whiteheads Creek (Seymour) major flood
Oct 1974
Nhill Swamp highest recorded flood
12 Feb 1977
Grass fires in Western district burnt 103 000 hectares and caused 4 fatalities
Jun 1978
Thomson River (Sale) major flood
16 Feb 1983
Ash Wednesday bushfires burnt 210 000 hectares and caused 47 fatalities
Oct 1993
Major floods of Ovens River (Wangaratta and Myrtleford) and Broken River (Benalla)
Sep 1998
Kiewa River (Kiewa) largest flood on record
Jun 2007
Macalister River (Glenmaggie) major flood
7 Feb 2009
Black Saturday bushfires burnt 430 000 hectares and caused 173 fatalities
Sep 2010
Widespread floods
Jan 2011
Floods affected one third of the state
Feb 2011
Further flash floods in previously affected areas
Sources
Australian Bureau of Statistics
Australian Electoral Commission
Australian Government
Department of Sustainability and Environment
Lighthouses of Australia Inc
Parliament of Victoria
State Flood Policy Committee
State Library of Victoria
Australian family history records
Australian BDM records
Australian census records
Australian civil administration
Australian history timeline
Victorian history timeline 1800s
© Highlight Press. See copyright notice for details.
First parliamentary elections in Port Phillip. Only men with 200 pounds freehold or 20 pounds annual lease could vote. Sandstone lighthouse opened at Queenscliff
2 Mar 1846
Population census, as part of NSW (now destroyed)
Aug 1848
Cape Otway lighthouse opened in Victoria, Australia’s second mainland coastal light
1850
Voting eligibility changed. Men with 100 pounds freehold, 10 pounds annual lease or depasturing licence could vote.
1851
Gold rush starts in Victoria
6 Feb 1851
Black Thursday bushfires burnt 5 million hectares (a quarter of Victoria) and caused 12 fatalities
1 Mar 1851
Population census, as part of NSW (now destroyed)
1 Jul 1851
Colony of Victoria separated from New South Wales
11 Sep 1851
Elections for first Legislative Council of Victoria
6 Oct 1851
Melbourne Academy (Scotch College) opened
13 Nov 1851
Official opening of Victorian parliament
1852
Signal station established at Point Lonsdale, Victoria to help guide ships. Victorian census of Crown land occupiers
24 Dec 1852
Bushranger, Captain Frank Melville captured near Geelong, Victoria
1853
Wooden lighthouse opened at Queenscliff and Gabo Island lighthouse opened on east coast of Victoria
22 Jan 1853
Legislation passed to establish University of Melbourne
1 Jul 1853
Civil registration commenced in Victoria
26 Apr 1854
Victorian population census (now destroyed)
12 Sep 1854
First railway line in Australia opened between Melbourne and Sandridge, Victoria
3 Dec 1854
Eureka rebellion at Ballarat, Victoria
11 June 1855
Chinese Act received assent, limiting number of Chinese immigrants entering Victoria
8 Jan 1856
Melbourne first lit with gas
11 Feb 1856
Melbourne Public Library opened
19 Mar 1856
Electoral Act received assent, making Victoria the first place in the world to adopt secret ballot
12 May 1856
Eight hour day recognised
29 Mar 1857
Victorian population census (now destroyed)
24 Nov 1857
Voting eligibility changed. All male British subjects over 21 years could vote.
31 Dec 1857
Yan Yean Reservoir opened in Victoria
1859
Whaler’s Bluff (Portland), Griffith Island (Port Fairy), Middle Island (Warrnambool) and Beach (Warrnambool) lighthouses opened on far west coast of Victoria. Gellibrand Point Lightship (now Gellibrand Pile Light) established in Port Phillip. Cape Schanck and Wilson’s Promontory lighthouses opened on east coast of Victoria
21 Jul 1859
First Melbourne fire brigade opened
25 Dec 1859
Rabbits arrived in Melbourne
7 Apr 1861
Victorian population census (now destroyed)
1862
Queenscliff white and black lighthouses replace earlier sandstone and wooden lights
1863
Yarra River (Melbourne) largest flood on record. Lighthouse replaces signal station at Point Lonsdale.
1870
In Victoria Ovens River (Wangaratta) largest known flood, Murray River (Yarrawonga) largest known flood, Goulbourn, Campapse & Barwon River major floods
2 Apr 1871
Victorian population census (now destroyed)
1871-72
Middle Island lighthouse relocated to Lady Bay Upper and Beach lighthouse relocated to Lady Bay Lower lighthouse
1874
South Channel Pile light and Eastern lighthouse opened in Port Phillip Bay
Dec 1878
Kelly gang raided National Bank at Euroa and Faithfull Creek station
Feb 1879
Kelly gang raided Bank of New South Wales at Jerilderie
Jun 1880
Kelly gang took hostages at Glenrowan hotel
11 Nov 1880
Ned Kelly hanged at Melbourne Gaol
1880s
Economic boom
3 Apr 1881
Victorian population census (now destroyed)
1884
Cape Nelson lighhouse opened on far west coast of Victoria and Cliffy Island lighthouse opened on east coast of Victoria
1890
Point Hicks lighthouse opened on east coast of Victoria
1891
Victorian women’s suffrage petition. Eagles Nest Point lighthouse opened (later Split Point) in Victoria
5 Apr 1891
Victorian population census (now destroyed)
1893
Economic depression
1 Feb 1898
Red Tuesday bushfires burnt 260 000 hectares and caused fatalities in South Gippsland, Victoria
1 Jan 1901
Australian federation, Victoria became a state with Melbourne as the nation’s capital city
31 Mar 1901
Victorian population census (now destroyed)
1906
Maribyrnong River (Footscray) largest flood on record
1908
Women over 21 years could vote.
1909
Major floods of Loddon, Avoca, Yarrowee, Glenelg and Wimmera Rivers
1913
Cape Liptrap and Citadel Island lighthouses opened on east coast
1916
Major floods of Murray and Goulbourn Rivers
1917
Major floods of Murray and Ovens Rivers
1920
Tambo River (Bruthen) largest flood on record
1924
Port Melbourne lighthouses opened Feb-Mar
1926
Bushfires in Gippsland caused 60 fatalities
1927
Canberra replaced Melbourne as the national capital
1934
Largest floods on record of Bunyip River (Koo Wee Rup), Moe River (Moe) and LaTrobe River (Rosedale). Major floods of Yarra River (Melbourne) and Yea River (Yea)
1936
Major flood of Mitchell River (Bairnsdale)
1937
Major flood of Bunyip River (Koo Wee Rup)
13 Jan 1939
Black Friday bushfires burnt 1.5 to 2 million hectares and caused 71 fatalities
22 Dec 1943
Bushfire near Wangaratta burnt 100 000 hectares and caused 10 fatalities
14 Jan-14 Feb 1944
Bushfires in the Western district caused 15-20 fatalities
1946
Major floods of Glenelg, Merri and Moyne Rivers
1951
Gippsland Lakes largest flood on record
5 Feb 1952
Bushfire near Benalla caused several fatalities
1956
Melbourne hosted the Olympic Games. Major floods of Murray River (Mildura) and Campapse River (Rochester)
14-16 Jan 1962
Bushfires in Dandenong Ranges and outer Melbourne caused 32 fatalities
17 Jan 1965
Grass fire near Longwood caused 7 fatalities
8 Jan 1969
Multiple bushfires burnt 250 000 hectares and caused 23 fatalities
Feb 1971
Major flood of Cann River
Feb 1973
Whiteheads Creek (Seymour) major flood
Oct 1974
Nhill Swamp highest recorded flood
12 Feb 1977
Grass fires in Western district burnt 103 000 hectares and caused 4 fatalities
Jun 1978
Thomson River (Sale) major flood
16 Feb 1983
Ash Wednesday bushfires burnt 210 000 hectares and caused 47 fatalities
Oct 1993
Major floods of Ovens River (Wangaratta and Myrtleford) and Broken River (Benalla)
Sep 1998
Kiewa River (Kiewa) largest flood on record
Jun 2007
Macalister River (Glenmaggie) major flood
7 Feb 2009
Black Saturday bushfires burnt 430 000 hectares and caused 173 fatalities
Sep 2010
Widespread floods
Jan 2011
Floods affected one third of the state
Feb 2011
Further flash floods in previously affected areas
Sources
Australian Bureau of Statistics
Australian Electoral Commission
Australian Government
Department of Sustainability and Environment
Lighthouses of Australia Inc
Parliament of Victoria
State Flood Policy Committee
State Library of Victoria
Australian family history records
Australian BDM records
Australian census records
Australian civil administration
Australian history timeline
Victorian history timeline 1800s
© Highlight Press. See copyright notice for details.
