1772—Captain Tobias Furneaux, with the ADVENTURE; accompanied Captain Cook on his second voyage in search of Australia. Separated from the ENDEAVOUR, and afterwards, when he met Cook, gave as his opinion that Tasmania and New South Wales were joined, with a deep bay intervening. This opinion Cook thought sufficient to prevent the necessity of a further examination by himself.
1777—De St. Alouarn anchored near Cape Leeuwin.
1788—Father le Receveur, naturalist; died at Botany Bay, while with La Perouse in the ASTROLABE.
1788—Lieutenant Shortland, with three ships from Sydney to England passed through Bougainville's Strait, north-west coast.
1788—Governor Phillip arrived in Botany Bay with the first fleet.
1788—Jean Francois Galup de la Perouse at Botany Bay.
1789—Hawkesbury discovered.
1789—Tench discovered the Nepean.
1790—Messrs. Tench, Dawes, and Morgan explore south and west of Rose Hill.
1791—Captain George Vancouver, in the DISCOVERY and CHATHAM, explored the south-west coast, and discovered King George's Sound.