Who is most famous for discovering Australia?

Answer 1

Many people would say Captain Cook was famous for discovering Australia, but they would be wrong on two counts. Firstly, Cook was still just a lieutenant when he charted Australia's east coast. Secondly, Cook did not discover Australia. Cook was not the first European, nor even the first Englishman to land on Australia's shores.

Arguably, the most famous "discoverer" of Australia was Dutchman Willem Jansz/Janszoon, who was seeking new trade routes and trade associates. Commanding the Duyfken, he became the first recorded European to step foot on Australia's shores on the western shore of Cape York Peninsula, on 26 February 1606.

"Most famous", of course, refers to whomever is most known about by many people. For more discussion on the discovery of Australia, and who really discovered the continent, see the discussion pages.