Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The first wave of European settlers arrived in Australia in 1788. They were a group of British convicts, who were transported to Australia as a form of punishment. Over the next few decades, more and more British convicts were transported to Australia, and the British government also began to encourage free settlers to come to the country.
The early years of European settlement in Australia were difficult. The convicts and settlers had to contend with harsh living conditions, and there were often conflicts with the Aboriginal people. However, the population of the colony grew rapidly, and by the 1850s, there were over 2 million people living in Australia.
Gold Rush
The discovery of gold in Australia in 1851 led to a massive influx of immigrants. People came from all over the world to seek their fortune in the goldfields. The population of Australia doubled during the gold rush, and many new cities were founded.
After the Gold Rush
After the gold rush, immigration to Australia continued, although at a slower pace. The country began to attract immigrants from a wider range of countries, including Italy, Germany, Greece, and China. Immigration was also boosted by the establishment of the White Australia Policy, which favoured immigrants from European countries.
The White Australia Policy
The White Australia Policy was a policy of the Australian government that restricted immigration from non-European countries. The policy was in place from 1901 to 1973. During this time, it was very difficult for people from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East to immigrate to Australia.
Multiculturalism
In the 1970s, the Australian government began to move away from the White Australia Policy. The government encouraged immigration from a wider range of countries, and it also began to promote multiculturalism. Today, Australia is a highly multicultural country, with people from over 200 different countries living in the country.