Australia was first discovered by Europeans in 1606 when Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon landed on the Cape York Peninsula. This marked the first recorded European sighting and landing on the Australian mainland. The Dutch explored various parts of the western, northern, and southern coasts during the 17th century, naming the continent "New Holland." Later, in 1770, British explorer Captain James Cook charted the east coast of Australia, claiming it for Great Britain, which led to the establishment of British settlements starting in 1788.
Additionally, Indigenous Australians had inhabited the continent for more than 50,000 years prior to European discovery.
