Australian History: EUROPEAN EXPLORATION
During the period between 1200 and 1500 world activity centred around Europe. From the 15th century until the early 17th century European countries with strong naval abilities (lots of powerful ships) began exploring the world. This period in time was called the Age of Exploration. Countries such as Spain, Portugal, Englan, France, and the Netherlands explored all parts of the world and began colonisation of the lands for their countries. Back then, European explorers did not know Australia existed. There were many rumours about the unknown land such as a lot gold, and treasures, but also a land full of strange monsters and beasts.
World Map "Typvs Orbis Terrarvm" 1570.
Source: Wikicommons: The Library of Congress - Abraham Ortelius (1527–1598)
The first European to discover Australia was thought to have been Willem Jansz, a Dutchman who sailed along part of the Gulf of Carpentaria in 1606 and landed on Australian soil. James Cook, an Englishman, was the first European to sail along the eastern coast of Australia in 1770. However some historians have found evidence that seems to show that sailors from Portugal sailed along parts of the Australian coast many years before either Willem Jansz or James Cook
Spanish Explorers - In the early 17th century one Spanish captain came very close to landing in Australia. Around this time Spain had established colonies in parts of South America and in 1605 a small fleet of three Spanish shies under the command of Pedro Fernandez de Quiros set out from the port of Callao in Peru specifically in search of the unknown south land.
Portuguese Explorers - For many years the first Europeanto reach Australia was the Dutchman, Willem Jansz. However there is some evidence that in fact the Portugese may have been known about Australia before anyone else.
Dutch Explorers - By early 1600s Portugal was losing power in South-East Asia. Holland on the other hand was becoming more powerful and controlled the Dutch East Indies, now called Indonesia.
English Explorers - William Dampier was a pirate who became a sailor when he was a teenager. His boat the Cygnet, traveled the Pacific Ocean, robbing the ships of other countries.
Endeavour Explorations - The Endeavour expedition left Plymouth, England in 1768 with ninety-four men on board. For eight months it sailed, stopping at the Madeira Islands, Rio de Janeiro and Tierra de Fuego for repairs, food and water.