Thursday, 6 March 2008, Week 1 Lecture Two

Discovering Australia

Discovery of Australia by Europe (more specific history), i.e. the turning of Australia into a system of signs
that is recognised in European culture.

Certain conditions were required before Europeans would deliberately travel to Australia:
 The belief that Australian existed.
 A method determining where they were.
 Knowledge of the ocean currents.
 Boats that could travel the distance.

The ‘Great Southern Continent’ was required to balance the global land mass. Ocean on seas was dictated
by:
 Compasses.
 The reading of the skies.
 The ocean currents.
1500’s and 1600’s; imagined parts on the world map.

The ‘Age of Discovery’ began in Portugal in the 15th century:

 Henry the Navigator.
 Ships were sent down the coast of Africa.
 Opened up the door between Europe and Asia.

Did the Portuguese discover Australia?

 No firsthand accounts.
 The Dieppe Maps show a mysterious coastline that resembles Australia.
 Mahogany Ship (Warrnambool).
 Ancient Keys (Geelong).
Conclusion: While the Portuguese were certainly in the region of Australia, there is not a strong case. It
had no affect on their history or the history of Australia.

Spanish entered the region from the east:

 Ferdinand Magellan circumnavigated the Americas.
 A sailor named Quiros sailed west and ended up in Vanuatu – ‘Australia del Espiritu Santo’.

Dutch sailors first recorded a sighting in the late 16th century. They had gained control of the East Asian
area and began lucrative trading. They explored parts of the Cape York Peninsula, unaware that it was a
Thursday, 6 March 2008, Week 1 Lecture Two

Discovering Australia

mainland. The disliked the natives and the plant life. It seems likely that they encountered New Holland
on numerous occasions when travelling to the Spice Islands.

Abel Tasman – Dutch sailor:

 Travelled along part of the Australian Bight.
 Then sailed off and hit the coast of Tasmania.
 He named the island ‘Van Diemens Land’ after his boss.