| 1798 | Exploration expedition led by Lt Henry Hacking, RN. The plains now the site of Goulburn from Mt Toongabidya, now Mt Towrang |
| 1818 | Hamilton Hume and Surveyor James Meehan discover Lake Bathurst. Meehan discovered the Goulburn Downs from about the site of the present Brisbane Grove |
| 1820 | Governor Macquarie and his party crossed the Cookbundoon Range to inspect the 'new country' and the great lake on 22nd October. They passed along the east side of the Mulwaree on their way to Lake Bathurst. The first white man to set foot on the site of Goulburn was explorer John Oxley several days later on 25th October, 1820 |
| 1825 | Andrew Allan the earliest settler built his home Strathallan on land which today is the site of the Police Academy |
| 1828 | Assistant Surveyor Robert Dixon planned the township of Goulburn Plains at the confluence of the Wollondilly and Mulwaree Rivers. This was submitted to the Surveyor General on 20th May, 1829 |
| 1829 | Major Lockyer, surveyor or roads, engaged on the great south road |
| 1832 | Sir Richard Bourke, Governor, visited the town of Goulburn Plains. He took exception to the site selected on account of the low lying land and frequent floodings. He selected a site on higher ground to the south, and ordered a new town laid out there. Governor Bourke on this occasion promised a speedy conclusion of the new road |
| 1832 | Goulburn's first Post Office was opened in the original Court House at North Goulburn |
| 1833 | Plan of 'new town' laid out by Surveyor Hoddle |
| 1834 | Wooden Hospital established in Sloane Street on land allotted for that purpose |
| 1837 | First bridge over the Mulwaree at North Goulburn by the iron gang under Lt Gorham of Towrang Stockade |
| 1838 | Old St. Saviour's Anglican Church built. William Bradley's mill in operation |
| 1841 | Census reveals Goulburn's population as 655. Roman Catholic Church built. Population reachers 1200. Second jail built in Auburn Street |
| 1847 | Captain William Hovell appointed Commissioner of Crown Lands in Goulburn |
| 1848 | Goulburn Herald the first newspaper commenced 1st July |
| 1849 | New Court House in Sloane Street finished. Original hospital replaced with new brick building |
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| 1858 | The Telegraph comes to Goulburn. 'Chronicle' newspaper commenced |
| 1859 | Goulburn declared a Municipality. Chas. H Walsh first Mayor |
| 1863 | Goulburn proclaimed the first inland city in Australia by Royal Letters Patent |
| 1864 | First Anglican Bishop Mesac Thomas of the new bishopric arrives in Goulburn. 'Goulburn Herald" incorporates the 'Chronical' newspaper. John Walsh established the 'Southern Argus' Newspaper |
| 1868 | Municipal Council reformed. J.L. Harris commenced 'Penny Post' newspaper |
| 1869 | Lord and Lady Belmore open the new railway to Goulburn |
| 1870 | Daniel and Gray purchase the Penny Post |
| 1875 | Railway line extended south from Goulburn |
| 1879 | Gas comes to Goulburn. Local telephones. |
| 1881 | Present Post Office in Auburn Street opened |
| 1884 | St Saviours Cathedral opened. New jail opened at North Goulburn. Telephone comes to the city |
| 1887 | Present Court House opened |
| 1889 | District Hospital in Goldsmith Street opened |
| 1890 | St Peter and Paul's Roman Catholic Cathedral dedicated |
| 1899 | Extensive campaign for Goulburn's selection as the Capital City |
| 1902 | Industrial exhibition of Goulburn goods in Roger's Great Arcade. Municipal bridges proclaimed as 'national bridges' |
| 1911 | Goulburn gets trunk line to Sydney |
| 1914 | Goulburn Council installs electric lighting. First Aeroplane lands in Goulburn, carrying mail to Sydney |
| 1923 | Goulburn Woollen Mills opened by Sir George Fuller, Premier |
| 1925 | War Memorial opened by Sir Dudley de Chair, State Governor |
| 1927 | The first radio broadcast from Goulburn was by Radio Station 2FC, Sydney |
| 1931 | Radio Station 2GN established. Wool sales commenced by R.D. Gray |
| 1939 | Auburn Street concreted |
| 1941 | Company formed to manufacture munitions in Goulburn with Government partnership for war effort. NSW Electricity Commission took over the electricity undertaking |
| 1950 | Municipal abattoirs opened |
| 1952 | First Lilac Festival |
| 1959 | Government Office Block opened |
| 1964 | First State Cabinet meeting held in Goulburn at the Town Hall. Premier J. Renshaw |
| 1966 | Goulburn population 20,871 |
| 1969 | College of Advanced Education opened |
| 1976 | Opening of 4th Fitzroy Bridge |
| 1977 | Second State Cabinet meeting in Goulburn, in Town Hall |
| 1979 | Municipal Abattoirs closed |
| 1981 | Centenary of the opening of the Post Office |
| 1982 | First Goulburn run of XPT Train. New bridge opened at Kenmore |
| 1983 | Population 22,000. College of Advanced Education closed |
| 1984 | Police Academy opened in College of Advanced Education premises. New Marsden Weir bridge opened. Alteration of electorate of Gilmore |
| 1986 | Commencement of work on the erection of Tower at St Saviour's Cathedral. Centenary of St Peter and Paul's Roman Catholic Cathedral |
| 1987 | Centenary of opening of the 4th Goulburn Court House. Threatened closure of Kenmore Hospital |
| 1988 | St Saviour's Cathedral Main Tower finished |
