Abel Tasman sailed right around Australia without ever seeing it. In 1642–43 he passed far south and east of the mainland, finding Tasmania and New Zealand along the way.

1642

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The event

• Tasman reaches New Zealand1642 · New Zealand. Dutch navigator Abel Tasman became the first European to reach Tasmania and the west coast of New Zealand. A clash with Māori in Golden Bay prevented a landing, but these southern lands first appeared on European maps.

17th century

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