Did Matthew Flinders discover Australia?

Matthew Flinders, (born March 16, 1774, Donington, Lincolnshire, England—died July 19, 1814, London), English navigator who charted much of the Australian coast. In 1795 he sailed to Australia, where he explored and charted its southeast coast and circumnavigated the island of Tasmania.

What was the name of Australia before it was called Australia?

After British colonisation, the name New Holland was retained for several decades and the south polar continent continued to be called Terra Australis, sometimes shortened to Australia.

Which British explorer found Australia?

James Cook was the first recorded explorer to land on the east coast in 1770. He had with him maps showing the north, west and south coasts based on the earlier Dutch exploration.

Who discovered the Southern continent?

James Cook
In the 18th century, British naval officer James Cook and others explored the sub-Antarctic region; Cook circumnavigated the globe in high southern latitudes between 1772 and 1775, proving that Terra Australis, if it existed at all, lay somewhere beyond the ice packs that he discovered between about 60° and 70° S.

Why did Matthew Flinders become an explorer?

In July 1799, Governor Hunter instructed Matthew Flinders to sail north as far as Hervey Bay, near Bundaberg in present-day Queensland, to locate any rivers which would allow entrance to the inland. Flinders sailed again on Norfolk, with his brother, Samuel (now a 16-year-old), and a crew of eight.

Who named Australia Terra Australis?

Captain Matthew Flinders
Australia was originally named Foundation Day or Anniversary Day, after Captain Matthew Flinders named it Terra Australis while he was imprisoned on his journey home on December 17, 1803 until June 1810, seven years on the French island of Mauritius.

How old was Matthew Flinders when he started exploring?

He entered the navy at 15 years of age, served under William Bligh on a voyage to Tahiti in 1791 and fought against the French in the naval battle of the Glorious First of June 1794. In 1795 Flinders sailed to Australia, where he carried out vital coastal survey work.