Willem Janszoon

ModernExplorerNetherlands1570 — 1630

First European to land on Australian soil.

Compare Willem Janszoon with another historical figure:

Quick Facts

Born

1570

Died

1630

Country

Netherlands

Era

Modern

Occupation

Explorer

Score Overview

Military (10%)15

Political (20%)31

Influence (20%)49

Legacy (20%)38

Leadership (15%)52

Strategy (15%)36

Total Score39.1

Willem Janszoon — Complete Timeline

1606 AD

First European to land on Australian soilInvention◆ Major

Janszoon landed on the western coast of Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Australia. He charted about 350 km of coastline, becoming the first recorded European to set foot on the Australian continent.

DiscoveryAustraliaCape York

Impact: global

Explored the coast of New GuineaInvention

Janszoon sailed along the southern coast of New Guinea, mapping parts of the island. He encountered hostile local populations and did not establish any settlements.

ExplorationNew GuineaMapping

Impact: regional

Mapped the Gulf of CarpentariaInvention

Janszoon charted parts of the Gulf of Carpentaria, including the coast of what is now Queensland. His maps provided the first European knowledge of northern Australia.

MappingGulf of CarpentariaAustralia

Impact: regional