 It may be inaccurate though to depict the conflict as one sided and mainly <unk> by Europeans on <unk> . Although many more <unk> died than British , this may have had more to do with the technological and logistic advantages enjoyed by the Europeans . Aboriginal tactics varied , but were mainly based on pre @-@ existing hunting and fighting practices — using <unk> , clubs and other primitive weapons . Unlike the indigenous peoples of New Zealand and North America , on the main <unk> failed to adapt to meet the challenge of the Europeans . Although there were some instances of individuals and groups acquiring and using firearms , this was not widespread . The <unk> were never a serious military threat to European settlers , regardless of how much the settlers may have feared them . On occasions large groups of <unk> attacked the settlers in open terrain and a conventional battle ensued , during which the <unk> would attempt to use superior numbers to their advantage . This could sometimes be effective , with reports of them advancing in crescent formation in an attempt to outflank and surround their opponents , waiting out the first volley of shots and then hurling their <unk> while the settlers <unk> . However , such open warfare usually proved more costly for the <unk> than the Europeans . 
