An Australian history — 65,000 years in the making
One land,many stories.
Australia's story begins with the world's oldest living cultures — sixty-five thousand years of law, trade, art and survival on this continent, and two and a half centuries of collision, resistance and repair. This is that story, told whole.
Tribal lands of the continent — tap an area to open the atlas
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters and skies of this continent — the oldest living cultures on Earth. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and honour the truth that sovereignty was never ceded. Always was, always will be.
The chapters of time
Four eras, one continent
Every chapter opens on the same land — what changes is who tells the story, and who is allowed to.
Profiles in courage
Faces of the story
The atlas
The land was never empty
In 1788 the continent held some 250 distinct language groups — nations with their own law, ceremony and Country. Explore a handful of them on our stylised atlas, and meet the peoples whose land we walk, sing and build on today.
Open the atlasA stylised map — tap a nation to open the atlas
One continent. Four chapters. 27 moments.
Walk sixty-five thousand years, moment by moment — from the first footprints at Madjedbebe to the Apology and beyond.