The Duyfken

The small Dutch ship the Duyfken (little dove), under the command of Willem Janszoon, was searching for trade opportunities in 1606 when it came across the northern coast of Australia.

Replica of the Duyfken

Captain Janszoon landed at Pennefather River in the Gulf of Carpentaria. He is recognised as the first European to set foot on the continent of Australia. The Dutch named the newly discovered land New Holland.

A replica of the Duyfken was built at the Maritime Museum in Fremantle, Western Australia, using traditional materials and shipbuilding techniques. It is a fairly regular visitor to Tasmania.