Australia–Trinidad and Tobago relations Australia–Trinidad and Tobago relations Australia maintains a High Commission in the City of Port of Spain, and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago maintains non-resident representation in Australia. Both nations formally established diplomatic relations on 7 January 1974. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations, and comprised as former parts of the British Empire. In 2004, due in part to the robust trade by Australian companies with Trinidad and Tobago's oil sector the Australian government set up the Australian High Commission in Port of Spain. It now serves 14 other Caribbean countries. Trinidad and Tobago is Australia's largest
History of Trinidad and Tobago History of Trinidad and Tobago The history of Trinidad and Tobago begins with the settlements of the islands by Amerindians, specifically the Island Carib and Arawak peoples. Both islands were explored by Christopher Columbus on his third voyage in 1498. Trinidad remained in Spanish hands until 1797, but it was largely settled by French colonists. Tobago changed hands between the British, French, Dutch, and Courlanders, but eventually ended up in British hands following the second Treaty of Paris (1814). In 1889 the two islands were incorporated into a single crown colony. Trinidad and Tobago obtained its independence from the British