A Source Book of Australian History

by Unknown

MAP OF AUSTRALIA

---

A SOURCE BOOK OF

AUSTRALIAN HISTORY

PART I

DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION

DISCOVERY OF TASMANIA

Source.—Tasman's Journal (edited by Heeres), pp. 1, 11-16

The Spaniard Torres was probably the first European to sight Australia (Cape Yorke); but Tasman was the first who consciously discovered the Great South Land. In his search for fresh fields for trade, he came upon Tasmania and New Zealand.

Journal or description drawn up by me, ABEL JAN TASMAN, of a Voyage made from the town of Batavia in E. India for the discovery of the unknown Southland, in the year of our Lord 1642, the 14th of August. May God Almighty vouchsafe his Blessing on this work. AMEN.