Claim: Europeans discovered the Australian continent in 1606.
Evidence: 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 -LRB- Republiek der Zeven Verenigde Nederlanden -RRB- , Republic of the United Netherlands or Republic of the Seven United Provinces -LRB- Republiek der Zeven Verenigde Provinciën -RRB- , was a republic in Europe existing from 1581 , when part of the Netherlands separated from Spanish rule , until 1795.