What was Australia first known as?

Senior Moments

Willem Janszoon, a Dutch captain, was the first European to record his voyages to Australia; thus this is the beginning of Australia's history. Because of his discovery, Australia was first known as 'New Holland.' Willem Janszoon (c.1570 - 1630), Dutch navigator and colonial governor, is the first European known to have seen the coast of Australia. His name sometimes appears as Willem Jansz. Janszoon was most probably born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Nothing is known of Janszoon's early life. He is first recorded as entering into the service of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) as a mate aboard the Hollandia, part of the second fleet dispatched by the Dutch to the Dutch East Indies in 1598. He again sailed from the Netherlands for the East Indies in December 1603 as captain of the Duyfken (or Duijfken, meaning "Little Dove"), part of a fleet of twelve ships. Once in the Indies, Janszoon was sent to search out other outlets for trade, particularly in "the great land of Nova Guinea and other East and Southlands." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willem_Jansz [Edited to replace broken link - McG] Jul 16 02, 10:46 PM

Barrow boy

I don't think that Britain ever recognised the name New Holland at that time, it was simply what Tasman called it, and he didn't even settle it. On British maps it was known as Terra Australis Incognita. Because the various colonies were so far removed from each other, they were referred to in their own right (eg NSW, Tasmania etc)in the early days. The name Australia (taken from the earlier title) was progressively used throughout the 18th century, but the official title of the country as such did not come into existence until its formal independence in 1901. There is a brief history in http://www.austarab.com.au/Australia/Australia_history.html Jul 16 02, 11:18 PM

yeukelduck

They named it Terra Nulius because as Cook sailed past, he couldnt see any houses which, to him, meant that it was unoccupied. Terra Nulius literally means Nothing Land (or something similar.) Apr 17 06, 7:55 AM

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