Queensland’s history is deeply rooted in the rich and diverse cultures of its Indigenous peoples, who are believed to have occupied the region for over 50,000 years. The Aboriginal populations in Queensland were among the largest in pre-colonial Australia, with over 90 distinct language and cultural groups. Early settlers are thought to have arrived via boats or land bridges across the Torres Strait, establishing long-lasting communities. During the last ice age, Queensland's landscape became more arid, prompting the development of the world’s first seed-grinding technology. As the climate warmed, the state saw increased rainfall and the growth of tropical rainforests, which became a defining feature of Queensland’s environment.

The Torres Strait Islands, home to the Torres Strait Islander peoples, remain distinct from mainland Aboriginal groups both ethnically and culturally. These communities have a long history of interaction with both Indigenous Australians and the peoples of New Guinea, creating a rich tapestry of cultural exchange.

The arrival of Europeans began with Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon, who made the first recorded European landing in Australia in February 1606, at what is now Weipa, near the Cape York Peninsula. This marked the beginning of European exploration of Queensland, which was later followed by French and Spanish navigators. However, it was British explorer Captain James Cook who claimed the east coast of Australia for Britain in 1770, naming it New South Wales, which included present-day Queensland.

The subsequent European colonization of Queensland brought significant changes. The Aboriginal population faced devastating losses due to smallpox epidemics and violent massacres by European settlers. By the 1820s, British explorers began scouting Queensland for potential penal colony sites, with John Oxley discovering Moreton Bay and establishing a penal settlement at Redcliffe in 1824. This settlement was later moved to the present location of Brisbane.

Transportation of convicts to the region ceased in 1839, marking the beginning of free settlement. In 1842, free settlers were officially permitted to move to Queensland, with the Port of Maryborough opening in 1847. One of the most notable early migration events was the arrival of orphaned Irish girls through the Earl Grey Scheme, intended to resettle girls from workhouses in Ireland during the Great Famine. In 1848, a small group of these girls were sent to Brisbane instead of Sydney, marking a significant chapter in Queensland's early immigrant history.

From its Indigenous heritage to the transformative waves of European settlement, Queensland’s history is marked by resilience, cultural exchange, and the impact of colonization, shaping the state into the vibrant and diverse region it is today.