<P> The European exploration of Australia began at least as early as 1605 -- 1606 , when seafarers first explored and mapped the Australian coastline . The first documented encounter was that of Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon , in 1606 . Dutch seafarers also visited the west and north coasts of the continent , as did French explorers . The most famous expedition was that of Royal Navy Lieutenant ( later Captain ) James Cook 164 years after Janszoon 's sighting , who after an assignment to make observations of the 1769 Venus Transit , followed Admiralty instructions to explore the south Pacific for the reported Terra Australis and on 19 April 1770 sighted the south - eastern coast of Australia and became the first recorded European to explore the eastern coastline . Explorers by land and sea continued to survey the continent for some years after settlement . These efforts consisted of : </P>
<P> The European exploration of Australia began at least as early as 1605 -- 1606 , when seafarers first explored and mapped the Australian coastline . The first documented encounter was that of Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon , in 1606 . Dutch seafarers also visited the west and north coasts of the continent , as did French explorers . The most famous expedition was that of Royal Navy Lieutenant ( later Captain ) James Cook 164 years after Janszoon 's sighting , who after an assignment to make observations of the 1769 Venus Transit , followed Admiralty instructions to explore the south Pacific for the reported Terra Australis and on 19 April 1770 sighted the south - eastern coast of Australia and became the first recorded European to explore the eastern coastline . Explorers by land and sea continued to survey the continent for some years after settlement . These efforts consisted of : </P>
where did the first european land in australia
where did the first european land in australia
as early as 1605
as early as 1605