1808 in Australia

The following lists events that happened during 1808 in Australia.

Incumbents

 * Monarch - George III

Governors
Governors of the Australian colonies:
 * Governor of New South Wales – Captain William Bligh (until 26 January by no coincidence), then Major George Johnston (until 28 July), then Major Joseph Foveaux
 * Lieutenant-Governor of Southern Van Diemen's Land – David Collins
 * Lieutenant-Governor of Northern Van Diemen's Land – William Paterson (until 24 March)

Events

 * 26 January – John Macarthur is arrested sparking the Rum Rebellion. Military officers supporting Macarthur arrest Governor Bligh.
 * 2 February – William Paterson sails to Sydney from Port Dalrymple, Van Diemen's Land to take over the administration of New South Wales following the removal of Bligh.

Exploration and settlement

 * First settlement at Kingston, Van Diemen's Land.

Births

 * 23 September – William Henty, one of the Henty brothers (although the only brother not to set foot in Portland, Victoria): he took a leading part in the legal disputes over the settlement.

Deaths

 * 19 June – Alexander Dalrymple, who had strongly opposed the establishment of New South Wales in A Serious Admonition to the Public on the Intended Thief-Colony at Botany Bay (London, 1786).
 * 3 September – Philip Gidley King, third Governor of New South Wales.