The History of the Colonization and Gold Rush of Queensland Australia

A public meeting was held determining Queensland's separation from NSW in 1851, and Queen Victoria signed patent letters in June 1859 to form the Queensland colony. In December 1859 George Ferguson Bowen read a proclamation whereby NSW was formally separated from Queensland. The first Queensland Governor was Bowen and the first Premier was Robert Herbert. As opposed to Queensland being a Crown colony, it was the only Australian colony to form its own parliament. The only Australian colony without a government was Western Australia. In 1860 Rockhampton and Ipswich were pronounced towns and Warwick and Maryborough followed suit the following year. The very first telegraph line was erected in Brisbane through to Ipswich and in 1861 Brisbane was connect by electric telegraph through to Sydney. During the late 19th century Queensland experienced a series of gold rushes, although NSW and Victoria also had smaller gold rushes.

Gold was also discovered at Canoona in 1858 and in Gympie in 1867. Southwest of Cooktown, William Hann discovered gold in 1872, and in 1877 Chinese settlers arrived at the goldfields and by 1877 seventeen thousand Chinese occupied the gold fields in Queensland, this is when immigration restriction on China were passed. The first Chief Justice was appointed in 1862 who was Sir James Cockle. In 1864 Queensland met with the worst devastation ever, as the Brisbane River flooded which spread through the city centre. The main shopping district in Queens Street met with devastating fires, and Brisbane's worst fire ever wiped out the adjoining streets and what remained of Queen Street. Today Brisbane boosts modern commercial buildings as well as other modern dwellings which include some of the most beautiful hotels. Brisbane is now frequented annually by thousands tourists from around the world. Brisbane hotel accommodation at hotelurban.com.au/Brisbane provides guests with the ultimate in luxury and service. Most hotels in Brisbane also provide some of the most scenic views spreading across Brisbane. For those that enjoy eating out, there are a host of restaurants that serve some of the finest cuisine. There are many museums and art galleries that reiterate on Queensland past which also include beautiful Aboriginal art pieces.

Queensland's first steam train appeared in 1865 which traveled from Ipswich to Bigge's Camp now known as Grand Chester. In 1867, sugar production from six mills became a major industry, producing around 169 tons, and the production increased to 2 850 tons in 1870 after another 28 mills were erected and today Brisbane produces over 60 000 tons of sugar annually. In 1876 Queensland hosted its first rugby match and the first rugby union association was formed in 1883.