Port Phillip District
Encyclopedia
The Port Phillip District was an historical administrative division of the Colony of New South Wales
, existing from September 1836 until 1 July 1851, when it was separated from New South Wales and became the Colony of Victoria
.
The District's borders were not initially defined, but in 1839 the District was defined as consisting of all the lands within New South Wales south of 36°S latitude, and between 141°E (that is, the border with South Australia
) and 146°E longitude. In January 1840, coinciding with the introduction of a fixed-price land sale scheme, the District's northern border was advanced up to follow the course of the Murrumbidgee River
, and from its source to the Pacific
coast at Moruya
. However, after extensive opposition in Sydney
, including from the Legislative Council, the border was retracted south to the Murray River
. On 1 July 1843, a proclamation formalised the border as running from Cape Howe
, to the nearest source of the Murray River, and then along the course of the Murray to the border with South Australia.
On 1 July 1851, the District was separated from New South Wales under provisions of the Australian Colonies Government Act 1850
, and became the Colony of Victoria.
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, existing from September 1836 until 1 July 1851, when it was separated from New South Wales and became the Colony of Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
.
The District's borders were not initially defined, but in 1839 the District was defined as consisting of all the lands within New South Wales south of 36°S latitude, and between 141°E (that is, the border with South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
) and 146°E longitude. In January 1840, coinciding with the introduction of a fixed-price land sale scheme, the District's northern border was advanced up to follow the course of the Murrumbidgee River
Murrumbidgee River
The Murrumbidgee River is a major river in the state of New South Wales, Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory . A major tributary of the Murray River, the Murrumbidgee flows in a west-northwesterly direction from the foot of Peppercorn Hill in the Fiery Range of the Snowy Mountains,...
, and from its source to the Pacific
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
coast at Moruya
Moruya, New South Wales
Moruya is a small regional centre in New South Wales, Australia, situated on the Moruya River, approximately 300 kilometers south of Sydney. At the 2006 census, Moruya had a population of 10,278 people. The town relies predominantly on agriculture, aquaculture, and tourism...
. However, after extensive opposition in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, including from the Legislative Council, the border was retracted south to the Murray River
Murray River
The Murray River is Australia's longest river. At in length, the Murray rises in the Australian Alps, draining the western side of Australia's highest mountains and, for most of its length, meanders across Australia's inland plains, forming the border between New South Wales and Victoria as it...
. On 1 July 1843, a proclamation formalised the border as running from Cape Howe
Cape Howe
Cape Howe is a coastal headland in Australia, forming the south-eastern end of the Black-Allen Line, the border between New South Wales and Victoria.-History:...
, to the nearest source of the Murray River, and then along the course of the Murray to the border with South Australia.
On 1 July 1851, the District was separated from New South Wales under provisions of the Australian Colonies Government Act 1850
Australian Colonies Government Act
Formally known as the Act for the Better Government of Her Majesty's Australian Colonies , the Australian Colonies Government Act, was legislation enacted by the British House of Commons separating the southeastern Australian district of Port Phillip from New South Wales and establishing it as the...
, and became the Colony of Victoria.