Significant Expeditions by European Explorers who reached Australia's Coastlines in the 17th Century

The Spanish Quest

1605

In a quest to advance Catholicism and discover new sources of natural resources and precious metals, early Spanish explorers opened up many parts of the world to European settlers.

17th Century: Dutch Exploration

1606

Dutch explorers charted much of the Southern Hemisphere in search of its famed riches. Dutch sailors made their first landfall on Australian shores in 1606. The Dutch had charted all but the south-eastern coastline of the continent they called 'New Holland' and took ownership of Indigenous Land before Cook's arrival.

British Exploration (Australia)

1788

Cook leaded a long voyage exploring the Pacific Ocean and the South pacific, but there was also a final and secret aim of this expedition. This was to locate and claim the Great South Land.
The secret instructions, which Cook carried with him, were orders from the British Admiralty to seek 'a Continent or Land of great extent' and to take possession of the country 'in the Name of the King of Great Britain'.