Australia experiences approximately 30 to 80 tornadoes annually, as estimated by the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). The earliest recorded signs of tornado activity date back to 1785, during the country's early settlement period.

Climatology and background A tornado, also known as a twister or willy-willy in Australia, is a violently rotating column of air that descends to the ground and can be among the most destructive atmospheric phenomena. The earliest recorded tornado in Australia occurred in Sydney, 1795. Tornadoes in Australia are measured in intensity using the EF-Scale (Enhanced Fujita scale).

Events Pre-1900 Tornado eventDateAreaTornadoesCasualtiesNotesIntensity 1795 Sydney tornado 1795 Sydney 1 0 The earliest tornado record in the Bureau of Meteorology archives, it destroyed crops and trees in the early settlement. Port Phillip tornado 29 January 1837 Central Victoria 1 0 Believed to be the first tornado observed by the colonists of Port Phillip (and in Australia in general). Following a trail of over 60 miles from the heads of Port Phillip to Geelong and as far north as Mount Macedon, it caused much damage and uprooting of trees.pg. 4. The Australian Sydney (extract from the Port Phillip Patriot) 23 March 1839 Parramatta tornado 21 December 1841 Parramatta, New South Wales 1 0 Tornado observed west of Sydney that caused damage to churches and schools in Parramatta, destroying homes and uprooting trees.pg. 6. The Sydney Herald. 10 January 1842 Murrumbidgee tornado 9 October 1844 Murrumbidgee District, New South Wales 1 0 Part of a larger storm cell which caused extensive flooding. A tornado was observed in Murrumbidgee District near Gundagai, causing extensive damage to forest area. Devil's river tornado 26 December 1848 Devil's River, Victoria 1 0 fatalities, 3 injured Tornado swept across farmland whilst hurling large hailstones, killing numerous livestock and injuring settlers.pg. 2. Sydney Morning Herald 10 January 1849 Wee Waa tornado 26 November 1849 Wee Waa, New South Wales 1 0 Huts had their roofs removed; there were trees uprooted.pg. 2. The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser Wednesday 19 December 1849 Campbell's river tornado 5 January 1852 Campbell's River, New South Wales 1 0 This destructive tornado cut a path through farmland and forest, reaching the outskirts of Bathurst, New South Wales.pg. 3. Empire. 12 April 1852pg. 4. The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser. Wednesday 14 January 1852 Waratah tornado 16 September 1860 Newcastle region 1 0 Related to storm over Newcastle, this tornado cut a path from Minmi to Hexham and Waratah, throwing wagons through the air and uprooting trees on its way toward the ocean.pg. 5. Sydney Morning Herald 18 September 1860 Chetwynd tornado 1 July 1861 Western Victoria 1 1 reported A large tornado was reported at Chetwynd Station moving along the tributary of the Glenelg River toward Harrow. It carried large objects including trees, poles, and huts to distances from several yards to miles through the air."THE TORNADO AT CHETWYND STATION" ON JULY 1, 1861. Bell's Life in Sydney and Sporting Chronicle. 15 February 1862 Two men were reported to have been thrown great distances in the air; one was reported to hit the ground and was dead on impact.Glenelg River in History. pg.8. The Argus 19 April 1924 Hamilton tornado 22 October 1861 Western Victoria 1 0 Originating near the South Australian border at Lindsay and passing through Casterton, a tornado cut a path through Hamilton, where it caused extensive damage to buildings before moving east and uprooting trees and taking the roofs off houses. A Scotch church in Hamilton was destroyed, along with another church, and several commercial premises- including two hotels- were leveled, causing A£5000 in damage. No casualties were reported.pg. 1. The Star. 26 October 1861pg. 4. Border Watch. Friday 8 November 1861 Maryborough tornado 25 February 1864 North-west Victoria 1 2 fatalities, numerous injuries A tornado cut a swathe from Maryborough to Creswick and Bullarook, north of Ballarat. A father and his son were killed by a tree thrown through the air, and numerous others were injured. The tornado damaged numerous buildings and uprooted trees.pg. 4. The Argus Thursday 25 February 1864 Beechworth tornado 26 October 1865 Beechworth 1 1 Massive damage to Beechworth from tornado, leaving churches and schools demolished, houses without roofs, and objects thrown great distances. A Chinese man died when the hut he was inside had collapsed on him.TORNADO AT BEECEWORTH. OVENS ADVERTISER, OCT. 28, 1865 Bowen tornado 16 February 1876 Bowen, Queensland 1 1 fatality, numerous injuries A destructive tornado caused severe damage to Bowen. One was killed, and many more were injured (some injuries were serious). The damages amounted to at least A£7,000. Many buildings were severely damaged or destroyed, including the Bowen hospital, where many patients sustained minor injuries.F5, rating disputed Nhill tornado 19 November 1897 Wimmera region, north western Victoria 1 3 A deadly tornado left a destructive trail across over 250 km of northwestern Victoria. It virtually destroyed the town of Nhill, where A£50,000 of damage was reported. All of the town's churches and many of the houses were destroyed. Extensive damage was also inflicted on the town of Donald, where one person died and a church, a school, and numerous other buildings were demolished. The total damage bill was A£4,000 in that town. At Maryborough, a further 2 deaths were recorded. At Rupanyup, the damage was estimated at A£200.Pg. 5 The Advertiser. 23 November 1897Pg 2. Queanbeyan Age Wednesday 24 November 1897THE TORNADO AT NHILL, DESCRIPTION BY AN EYEWITNESS. North Otago Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 9079, 13 December 1897, Page 4F4+ Nevertire tornado 29 December 1897 New South Wales 1 Numerous injuries A destructive tornado with a path 14 miles long struck the town of Nevertire, leaving many people injured."Tornado at Nevertire". pg. 7. Launceston Examiner. 1 January 1897

1900s