Queensland’s path to independent governance began with a public meeting in 1851, where the idea of separating from New South Wales was discussed. This movement gained momentum, culminating in the formal establishment of Queensland as a self-governing Crown colony on 6 June 1859. Queen Victoria signed the letters patent that allowed Queensland to govern itself, with Brisbane designated as its capital city. On 10 December 1859, the first Governor of Queensland, George Bowen, read the proclamation that officially separated the colony from New South Wales.

The early years of Queensland’s self-governance saw rapid economic and infrastructural growth. In 1865, the first rail line in the state opened between Ipswich and Grandchester, signaling a new era of connectivity and industrial progress. By 1867, the discovery of gold near Gympie on the Mary River ignited a gold rush that significantly boosted Queensland's economy, though on a smaller scale compared to the more famous gold rushes of Victoria and New South Wales.

As the state developed, Queensland became a destination for immigrants, particularly to support the booming agricultural sector. From the 1860s to the early 20th century, many workers, including those known as Kanakas from Pacific Islands, were brought to Queensland to work in the sugar cane fields. This period saw the use of blackbirding, a controversial practice in which many workers were kidnapped and forced into labor under exploitative conditions. The introduction of Italian immigrants into the sugar industry in the 1890s further diversified the labor force.

In the 1890s, Queensland, along with the other Australian colonies, participated in a series of referendums that eventually led to the Federation of Australia on 1 January 1901. By this time, Queensland had a population of around half a million people. The transition from a self-governing colony to a federated state within Australia marked the beginning of a new phase in Queensland’s development, setting the stage for its continued growth and integral role in the nation’s evolution.