List of Indigenous Australian historical figures

Some Indigenous Australians are remembered in history for leadership prior to European colonisation, some for their resistance to that colonisation, others for assisting Europeans explore the country. Some became infamous for their deeds, and others noted as the last of their communities.

Prior to 1788

• Cumbo Gunnerah 18th century leader of the Kamilaroi people near Gunnedah, New South Wales.

1788-1888

• William Barak (1824–1903) - ngurungaeta of Wurundjeri, police tracker, then artist
• Bennelong - representative of the Eora People at the time Port Jackson was settled
• Billibellary (1799–1846) - ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri-willam clan
• Calyute - leader of the Pindjarup people at the time of the Battle of Pinjarra
• Derrimut - Bunurong elder during European settlement of Melbourne
• Jackey Jackey - assisted Edmund Kennedy expedition into Cape York and awarded solid silver breastplate for heroic deeds.
• Jandamarra - Bunuba man who resisted European occupation
• William Lanne - King Billy, last surviving male of the Oyster Cove clan of Tasmanian Aborigines
• Mannalargenna - Tasmanian Aborigine of the Plangermaireener people
• Mokare - Noongar guide and peacemaker
• Johnny Mullagh - Aborigine cricketer who was known for his remarkable performance in the 1868 Aborigine cricket team's tour of England.
• Musquito - originally from Sydney, became a bushranger following transportation to Tasmania
• Tommy Windich - Western Australian explorer
• Pemulwuy - member of the Eora people (Botany Bay) area
• Fanny Cochrane Smith - first Tasmanian Aborigine born on Flinders Island
• Truganini - last surviving full-blooded Tasmanian Aborigine
• Turandurey - she and daughter Ballandella traveled with Major Mitchell, acting as interpreter
• Tullamareena - member of Wirundgeri, Melbourne
• Simon Wonga (1824–1874) - ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri people around Melbourne who secured land at Coranderrk, and the suburb Wonga Park was named after him
• Yagan - Western Australian leader in 1830s
• Yarri the brave - saved many people in the 1852 floods at Gundagai, New South Wales
• Wylie - Aboriginal guide who stayed with Edward John Eyre in their crossing of the Nullabor

1888 onwards

• Nemarluk - leader of the Chul-a-mar, who fought European and Japanese around Darwin in the early 20th century
• Umbarra (King Merriman) - late 19th century elder of the Yuin around Bermagui, New South Wales
• Jessica Mauboy - Aboriginal singer-songwriter of the Kuku Yalanji