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The first known Caucasians to land in Australia were the Dutch, firstly in 1696, then 1616, with subsequent expeditions exploring around the Western coast. The Dutch had no interest in colonising the land, as they could not see any benefits.

After the expedition of Lieutenant (later Captain) James Cook in 1770, the idea of colonising the eastern half of the continent previously known as New Holland gained strength. This was because Cook charted the fertile eastern half. The First Fleet of eleven ships carrying British prisoners, officers and marines landed in Port Jackson, now the site of Sydney, in January 1788.

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10y ago

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