Australian History

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. Pre 1770. Europeans had visited Australia prior to Cook, but which of these explorers is believed to have landed first? William Dampier Frans Thyssen Frederick de Houtman Dirk Hartog

2. 1770s. In 1770 Captain James Cook claimed the land known as Terra Australis for the British Crown, but what was his main reason for sailing to the South Pacific? To observe the transit of Venus from Tahiti To establish trade relations with China For a holiday To prove the existence of the South Pole

3. 1780s. The First Fleet arrived in Sydney in January 1788, but which French explorer was only a few days behind them? Dirk Hartog Abel Tasman William Dampier Jean-Francois de La Perouse

4. 1790s. Which officer of the NSW Corps is credited with creating the wool industry in Australia? John Macarthur William Bligh Francis Greenway Ludwig Leichhardt

5. 1800-1809. What is the second oldest capital city in Australia? Hobart, Tasmania Adelaide, South Australia Melbourne, Victoria Perth, Western Australia

6. 1810s. In 1813 the previously impassable barrier to the west of Sydney was crossed for the first time. What name is given to these mountains, part of the Great Dividing Range? Blue Mountains The Andes Snowy Mountains Glasshouse Mountains

7. 1820s. In 1827 a small settlement was made at King George Sound in Western Australia. What did this settlement change its name to in the following year? Fremantle Exmouth Perth Albany

8. 1830s. Which island, situated about 700 kilometres north-east of Sydney, was first settled in 1834? Nauru Norfolk Island Lord Howe Island Stradbroke Island

9. 1840s. Which wife of a British Naval officer was the first woman (besides royalty) to be depicted on an Australian decimal bank note? Dame Edith Lyons Catherine Helen Spence Dame Edna Everage Caroline Chisholm

10. 1850s. What precious commodity was discovered at Bathurst in February 1851 and at Ballarat in June of the same year? Silver Gold Oil Diamonds

11. 1860s. Which variety of apple was developed in Australia in 1868 from Tasmanian crab apples? Golden Delicious Granny Smith Toffee apples Pink Lady

12. 1870s. Australia's Aboriginal population has been treated very poorly since the arrival of Europeans, with many being shot or enslaved. In 1876, the last full-blooded Tasmanian Aboriginal died. What was her name? Truganini Wooraddy Pocahontas Wybelanna

13. 1880s. Ned Kelly was hanged on November 11, 1880 in Melbourne for murder and bushranging, but where did his famous last stand against the law occur? Glenrowan, Victoria Wangaratta, Victoria Jerilderie, New South Wales Longreach, Queensland

14. 1890s. 1894 was a very turbulent year in Australian history. A strike by a group of workers brought violence, death, arson and even piracy! What type of workers went on strike? Police Miners Shearers Firemen

15. 1900s. Which author published her first novel, "My Brilliant Career", in 1901? Miles Franklin Helen Keller Judy Davis Dorothea MacKellar

16. 1910s. At the disastrous WW1 campaign in Gallipoli, Turkey, a British soldier named John Simpson Kirkpatrick went down in Australasian history for his rescuing of wounded troops under fire. Who was his companion? A dog named Gregory An unnamed pigeon A horse named Napoleon A donkey named Duffy

17. 1920s. When Charles Kingsford-Smith and Charles Ulm made the first trans-Pacific flight in 1928, what astronomical name did they give to their aeroplane? Sirius Orion's Belt Big Dipper Southern Cross

18. 1930s. In 1931, a paramilitary group called the 'New Guard' was established to protect the country from "communists, anarchists and other wreckers". When the Sydney Harbour Bridge was being opened in 1932 New Guard member Captain de Groot charged out of the crowd on his horse and slashed the ribbon with a sword. Which dignitary had the honour of cutting the hastily-mended ribbon? Samuel Walder, Lord Mayor of Sydney Queen Elizabeth II Jack Lang, New South Wales Premier Joseph Lyons, Australian Prime Minister

19. 1940s. In 1948, Prime Minister Ben Chifley launched Australia's first locally mass-produced car, the Holden. What was the 'official' model designation for the car more commonly known as the 'FX'? Canbra 48-215 Emu 3801

20. 1950s. In 1953, Mervyn Victor Richardson invented which Australian icon in his backyard shed? Hills clothes hoist Victa lawnmower Wine cask Black-box flight recorder

21. 1960s. Which of these men succeeded Sir Robert Menzies as Australian Prime Minister, and is remembered for his quote "All the way with L.B.J.", referring to the Australian involvement in Vietnam? Billy McMahon Harold Holt Bill Snedden John Curtin

22. 1970s. What was the name of the cyclone that destroyed Darwin in 1974? Tracy Palmerston Robert Azaria

23. 1980s. In 1983, Australia finally claimed a trophy that had been in American hands for over 130 years. What yacht defeated Dennis Connor and his yacht 'Liberty'? Southern Cross Gretel Australia II Australia

24. 1990s. In 1999, a referendum was held in Australia. What was the issue that was voted on, and rejected? That Australia should become a republic That Australia's immigration policies should undergo a complete restructure That the eligible voting age should be increased from 18 to 21 That a new flag and national anthem should be adopted

25. 2000s. At the Sydney Olympic Games, held in 2000, six famous Australian sportswomen carried the torch around the arena prior to Cathy Freeman lighting the Olympic Flame. One of these women was in a wheelchair because of Multiple Sclerosis. Who is she? Shane Gould Shirley Strickland Betty Cuthbert Raelene Boyle