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Australia's Rich History Collection

A selection of historical Australian images, maps and illustratoins from the 1800s to more contemporary 1990s

Choose a picture from our Australia's Rich History Collection for your Wall Art and Photo Gifts

This gallery features an intriguing collection of images that provide a glimpse into Australia's rich history. The photographs document the country's transformation and development over time, from the early days of colonisation to the modern era. The images depict historic structures, landmarks, and events, highlighting the country's cultural heritage and significant historical moments. Each photograph tells a different story, from iconic structures like the Sydney Harbour Bridge to snapshots of everyday life in the past.

339 items

Australia's Rich History Collection: Gallipoli

Gallipoli Collection
5 items

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Sydney At Your Feet

Sydney At Your Feet
January 1957: A white cat who lives at the top of one of the pylon supports of the Sydney Harbour Bridge welcomes tourists to the Australian capital. (Photo by Dennis Rowe/BIPs/Getty Images)

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney Harbour Bridge
circa 1930: Sydney Harbour Bridge during construction. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: View Down Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Australia, circa 1880

View Down Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Australia, circa 1880
A view down Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Australia, circa 1880. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: The First Fleet

The First Fleet
Some of the First Fleet - eleven British Navy ships under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip, which took 750 British convicts to Botany Bay

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Speedster

Speedster
circa 1963: Sir Donald Campbells car Bluebird which will attempt the worlds land speed record on the salt flats at Lake Eyre, Southern Australia in the spring of 1963

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Building In Sydney

Building In Sydney
circa 1930: Sydney harbour bridge under construction. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Anzac Cove

Anzac Cove
Allied troops at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli Peninsula, during the Gallipoli campaign. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: The Australian Club

The Australian Club
A hansom cab speeds past the Australian Club in Bent Street Sydney, Australia, 1880. The club is the oldest institution of its kind in Sydney. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Thursday Island, or in the indigenous language, Waiben, is an island of the Torres Strait Islands

Thursday Island, or in the indigenous language, Waiben, is an island of the Torres Strait Islands archipelago
Illustration of a Thursday Island, or in the indigenous language, Waiben, is an island of the Torres Strait Islands archipelago, near Cape York Peninsula in the Torres Strait, Queensland, Australia

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Hobart Town, Van Diemens Land (early 19th century engraving)

Hobart Town, Van Diemens Land (early 19th century engraving)
A view of the town and harbour of Hobart Town, Van Diemens Land (now known as Tasmania), an island to the south of the Australian mainland

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Antique map - Queensland Australia

Antique map - Queensland Australia
" Antique map from 1864 of showing Queensland, Australia"

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Old chromolithograph map of AUSTRALIA continent

Old chromolithograph map of AUSTRALIA continent
Antique Illustration, Popular Encyclopedia Published 1894. Copyright has expired on this artwork. From my own archives, digitally restored

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Old engraved map of Sydney (capital city of the state of New South Wales)

Old engraved map of Sydney (capital city of the state of New South Wales, Australia) and Port Jackson
Copyright has expired on this artwork. From my own archives, digitally restored

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Old engraved map of Melbourne and Port Phillip, Australia

Old engraved map of Melbourne and Port Phillip, Australia
Copyright has expired on this artwork. From my own archives, digitally restored

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Short-Beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus Aculeatus) - 19th Century

Short-Beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus Aculeatus) - 19th Century
A short-beaked echidna (tachyglossus aculeatus). Vintage etching circa 19th century

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Platypuses (Ornithorhynchus Anatinus) and Burrow - 19th Century

Platypuses (Ornithorhynchus Anatinus) and Burrow - 19th Century
A group of Platypuses (ornithorhynchus anatinus) and cross section cutaway of burrow. Vintage etching circa 19th century

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Old engraved illustration of Swanston Street, Melbourne, Australia

Old engraved illustration of Swanston Street, Melbourne, Australia
Copyright has expired on this artwork. From my own archives, digitally restored

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Australian army, Queensland Defence Force, Soldiers on guard, Victoria Barracks Brisbane

Australian army, Queensland Defence Force, Soldiers on guard, Victoria Barracks Brisbane, Military history
Vintage picture Australian army, Queensland Defence Force, Soldiers on guard, Victoria Barracks Brisbane, Military history, 1890s 19th Century

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Australian army, Queensland Defence Force, Soldiers on guard, Victoria Barracks Brisbane

Australian army, Queensland Defence Force, Soldiers on guard, Victoria Barracks Brisbane, Military history
Vintage picture Australian army, Queensland Defence Force, Soldiers on guard, Victoria Barracks Brisbane, Military history, 1890s 19th Century

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Antique photograph of World's famous sites: Town hall and square, Sydney, Australia

Antique photograph of World's famous sites: Town hall and square, Sydney, Australia
Antique photograph of World's famous sites: Town hall and square, Sydney, Australia

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Antique photograph of World's famous sites: Sydney

Antique photograph of World's famous sites: Sydney
Antique photograph of World's famous sites: Sydney

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Antique photograph of World's famous sites: Hobart

Antique photograph of World's famous sites: Hobart
Antique photograph of World's famous sites: Hobart

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Antique photograph of World's famous sites: Brisbane

Antique photograph of World's famous sites: Brisbane
Antique photograph of World's famous sites: Brisbane

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Aboriginal people preparing a meal, 19th Century Australia

Aboriginal people preparing a meal, 19th Century Australia
Vintage engraving of Australian Aboriginal people preparing a meal, 19th Century Australia

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Firing observation mines from the shores, HMS Nelson, Naval drill, Jervis Bay, New South Wales

Firing observation mines from the shores, HMS Nelson, Naval drill, Jervis Bay, New South Wales, 1880s
Vintage illustration of Firing observation mines from the shores, HMS Nelson, Naval drill, Jervis Bay, New South Wales, 1880s

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Target practice, HMS Nelson armoured cruiser built for the Royal Navy, Naval drill, Jervis Bay

Target practice, HMS Nelson armoured cruiser built for the Royal Navy, Naval drill, Jervis Bay, New South Wales, 1880s
Vintage illustration of Target practice, HMS Nelson armoured cruiser built for the Royal Navy, Naval drill, Jervis Bay, New South Wales, 1880s

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: The Welcome (Gold) Nugget in Australia - 19th Century

The Welcome (Gold) Nugget in Australia - 19th Century
The "Welcome Nugget" gold nugget in Australia. Vintage photo etching circa 19th century. The Welcome Nugget, containing 99% pure gold, was the world's largest gold nugget at the time

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Yan Yean Reservoir, near Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Victorian, 19th Century

Yan Yean Reservoir, near Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Victorian, 19th Century
Vintage illustration of Yan Yean Reservoir, near Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Victorian, 19th Century. At the time of its completion in 1857 it was the largest artificial reservoir in the world

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Old engraved illustration of Government House is the official residence of the governor of Victoria

Old engraved illustration of Government House is the official residence of the governor of Victoria
Copyright has expired on this artwork. From my own archives, digitally restored

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Government House, Sydney, Australia, vice-regal residence of the governor of New South Wales

Government House, Sydney, Australia, vice-regal residence of the governor of New South Wales, Vintage photograph 1890s
Vintage illustration after a photograph of Government House, Sydney, Australia, vice-regal residence of the governor of New South Wales, 1890s

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Old chromolithograph map of AUSTRALIA continent

Old chromolithograph map of AUSTRALIA continent
Antique Illustration, Popular Encyclopedia Published 1894. Copyright has expired on this artwork. From my own archives, digitally restored

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Australian bustard, Ardeotis australis, a large ground dwelling bird

Australian bustard, Ardeotis australis, a large ground dwelling bird
Vintage illustration of Australian bustard (Ardeotis australis) a large ground dwelling bird which is common in grassland

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Sir George Frederic Verdon, an Australian politician and public figure, 1870s, Victorian

Sir George Frederic Verdon, an Australian politician and public figure, 1870s, Victorian
Vintage illustration of Sir George Frederic Verdon, an Australian politician and public figure who was elected a member of the legislative assembly for Williamstown in 1859, 1870s, Victorian

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Old chromolithograph map of Melbourne and Port Phillip - Australia

Old chromolithograph map of Melbourne and Port Phillip - Australia
Copyright has expired on this artwork. From my own archives, digitally restored

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Old map of Oceania

Old map of Oceania
Antique Illustration, Copyright has expired on this artwork. From my own archives, digitally restored

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Old chromolithograph map of AUSTRALIA continent

Old chromolithograph map of AUSTRALIA continent
Antique Illustration, Popular Encyclopedia Published 1894. Copyright has expired on this artwork. From my own archives, digitally restored

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Old chromolithograph map of AUSTRALIA continent

Old chromolithograph map of AUSTRALIA continent
Antique Illustration, Popular Encyclopedia Published 1894. Copyright has expired on this artwork. From my own archives, digitally restored

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Old chromolithograph map of Australasia (Australia, New Zealand, the island of New Guinea)

Old chromolithograph map of Australasia (Australia, New Zealand, the island of New Guinea)
Antique Illustration, Copyright has expired on this artwork. From my own archives, digitally restored

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Old chromolithograph map of Queensland, a state situated in northeastern Australia

Old chromolithograph map of Queensland, a state situated in northeastern Australia
Antique Illustration, Copyright has expired on this artwork. From my own archives, digitally restored

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Old chromolithograph map of Victoria, a state in southeastern Australia

Old chromolithograph map of Victoria, a state in southeastern Australia
Antique Illustration, Copyright has expired on this artwork. From my own archives, digitally restored

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Old chromolithograph map of AUSTRALIA continent

Old chromolithograph map of AUSTRALIA continent
Antique Illustration, Popular Encyclopedia Published 1894. Copyright has expired on this artwork. From my own archives, digitally restored

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Old chromolithograph map of Western Australia

Old chromolithograph map of Western Australia
Antique Illustration, Copyright has expired on this artwork. From my own archives, digitally restored

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Old chromolithograph map of South Australia

Old chromolithograph map of South Australia
Antique Illustration, Copyright has expired on this artwork. From my own archives, digitally restored

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Old chromolithograph map of Southeast Australia

Old chromolithograph map of Southeast Australia
Antique Illustration, Copyright has expired on this artwork. From my own archives, digitally restored

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Old chromolithograph map of New South Wales - a state on the east coast of Australia

Old chromolithograph map of New South Wales - a state on the east coast of Australia
Copyright has expired on this artwork. From my own archives, digitally restored

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Monster Shark

Monster Shark
A young child takes a closer look at a giant whale shark washed up at Bare Island La Perouse in Botany Bay. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

Background imageAustralia's Rich History Collection: Life Savers

Life Savers
1929: Life savers practising on Bondi Beach in Sydney. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)



Whether you're a history buff or simply interested in Australia's past, this gallery provides an intriguing insight into the country's rich and colourful history.

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