in 1642, dutchman abel tasman, working for the dutch east indies company reached tasmania, which he called antony van diemenslandt. he then called the continent he charted the north coast of on his second visit in 1644 new holland. in 1688, william dampier became the first englishman to reach australia. but in 1770 a british sailor, captain james cook, found the fertile east coast of australia. he called it new south wales, and claimed it for britain.