Europeans discovered the Australian continent in 1606.
Australia . After the European discovery of the continent by Dutch explorers in 1606 , Australia 's eastern half was claimed by Great Britain in 1770 and initially settled through penal transportation to the colony of New South Wales from 26 January 1788 . The Dutch Republic , also known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands ( Republiek der Zeven Verenigde Nederlanden ) , Republic of the United Netherlands or Republic of the Seven United Provinces ( Republiek der Zeven Verenigde Provinciën ) , was a republic in Europe existing from 1581 , when part of the Netherlands separated from Spanish rule , until 1795 .