In my timeline China begins global exploration in the 1300's and starts to forge a global trade network. By the 1430's most of the world is linked together by this network. An industrial revolution begins in the early 1400's. From the 1400's onward traders will begin selling potatoes from South America to the Australians which could help boost their population. If nobody decides to colonize Australia then how long might it take for agricultural kingdoms to arise in Australia?
I do acknowledge what you guys have said on the other forums. It would be a big transition from hunter gatherers and they would be indeed far behind the rest of the world. Perhaps given a large enough timescale (centuries) with continual contact with the trade network they could eventually transition to an agricultural society?
Australia does have land bound reserves of both oil and coal which would be useful to an industrializing world. Resources such as iron would also be quite valuable.
I do acknowledge what you guys have said on the other forums. It would be a big transition from hunter gatherers and they would be indeed far behind the rest of the world. Perhaps given a large enough timescale (centuries) with continual contact with the trade network they could eventually transition to an agricultural society?
Australia does have land bound reserves of both oil and coal which would be useful to an industrializing world. Resources such as iron would also be quite valuable.