Constitutional Geography of Australia
1859

Queensland and The Northern Territory

In 1859, Queensland became a separate Colony with the 29th parallel as its southern boundary. New South Wales was thus split in two constituting what is now the Northern Territory and absorbing 'No Mans Land'.

Western Australia remained politically connected to New South Wales, the mother Colony.

South Australia's western border expanded to the Western Australian boundary on July 22nd 1861, taking up 'No Man's Land'.

The following year the western boundary of Queensland moved to the 138th meridian excepting the southern portion which accommodated South Australia.

By Letters Patent dated July 6, 1863, the Northern Territory was placed under the administration of South Australia and thus New South Wales was reduced to its present size.

The south-eastern section of New Guinea became a British Protectorate in 1884, and a Crown colony associated with Queensland in 1888.