The Dutch Down Under 1606-2006

The celebrations of the first 400 years of relations between The Commonwealth of Australia and The Kingdom of The Netherlands mark a very special and important event for both countries. The shared relationship between the two countries was first established in 1606, when the Dutch vessel Duyfken mapped part of the coast near present day Weipa, Cape York Peninsula, of the continent that would, in time, become known as Australia. This event led to further encounters between early maritime pioneers, and traces of early Dutch influence is still found in such Australian place names as Tasmania and Cape Leeuwin.