

Podcast Title: Stuff For Kids
Episode Title: Discovery of Australia By Europeans
Teaching Resources & Lesson Plans (Coming Soon)
---
[Intro Music: Upbeat, adventurous tune fades in]
Host (Sam):
Hey, explorers! Welcome back to "Stuff For Kids," where we dive into amazing stories from around the world. And today, we’re sticking close to home - we are heading back in time to a huge event that shaped Australia as we know it—when Europeans first discovered this beautiful, vast country. Now, you might be thinking, “Wait, I already know about Australia!” But did you know that this land was completely unknown to Europeans until just over 250 years ago?
In this episode, we’ll go on an adventure with a famous explorer named James Cook. We’ll learn about his dangerous journey across the sea, how he found Australia, and most importantly, what life was like for the people who were already living here— the First Nations People. So grab your hats, your maps, and your imaginations, because we’re setting off on an epic historical journey through Australia’s past!
---
### Part 1: Before Europeans Knew About Australia
Host (Sam):
Let’s start by winding the clock back—WAY back—over 65,000 years ago. Picture this: long before James Cook was even born, people were already living in Australia and the Torres Straight Islands. These people are known as Indigenous Australians or First Nations People, and they belong to the oldest living culture in the world! Their history goes back tens of thousands of years, long before any other part of the world even knew that Australia existed.
First Nations people lived all across the continent, from the tropical rainforests in the north to the dry deserts in the center, and along the stunning coastlines in the south. They lived in small groups called a clan or language group. Each clan had its own land, stories, and traditions. More than 200 different Aboriginal languages were spoken (and hundreds of different dialects), and most Aboriginal people were bilingual or multilingual - meaning they spoke a number of different languages and dialects. The land was everything to the First Nations people —it was their source of food, water, shelter, and spiritual connection.
The way these clans cared for the land was very special. They knew how to hunt animals like kangaroos and emus, how to find water in dry places, and they even used fire in a clever way called "fire-stick farming." or “cultural burning”. This was when the land was burned in a controlled way to help them keep the environment healthy.
*So, while the world outside of Australia was changing with the rise of kingdoms and empires, and wars, the First Nations people were peacefully passing their Dreamtime stories between generations and living in harmony with nature.
---
### Part 2: Who Was James Cook?
Host (Sam):
Now let’s fast forward to the 1700s in a place far away from Australia—England. This is where our main character comes in—Captain James Cook. He was born in 1728 in a small village in England, and right from the start, he loved the sea. Imagine young James standing on the edge of a cliff, staring out at the vast ocean and wondering, "What’s out there beyond the horizon?"
As he grew up, James Cook’s love for the sea only got stronger. He worked on ships, learned to make maps, and became a great sailor. Soon, people started to notice how skilled he was, especially at navigating and making detailed maps of places that no one had explored before. This was really important because, back then, there were no satellites, no GPS, and no planes to take photos from above. Sailors like Cook had to carefully draw everything they saw to help future explorers.
One day, Cook was given an exciting mission by the British government. He was asked to lead an expedition into the Pacific Ocean to find new lands. This wasn’t just any mission; this was top secret! The British were hoping Cook would find a legendary land that many believed existed in the southern hemisphere—a massive, unknown land that they called "Terra Australis," which means "Southern Land."
Cook didn’t know what he’d find, but he was ready to set sail on one of the greatest adventures in history!
---
### Part 3: The Endeavour’s Journey Begins
Host (Sam):
Alright, adventurers, now let’s hop aboard the HMS Endeavour* and set sail with Captain James Cook! It’s 1768, and we’re about to embark on one of the longest and most dangerous journeys of the time. But don’t worry—you won’t need to pack your bags or bring snacks. We’ve got everything we need… almost.*
So, how long did this journey take? Well, from the time Captain Cook and his crew left England in August 1768, it took them nearly three years before they returned home in July 1771! That’s right—three years of sailing across the world’s oceans, visiting places that many people had never seen before.
Now, let’s talk about the ship itself. The Endeavour* wasn’t a giant ship like the massive cruise ships we see today. It was a sturdy little thing, measuring just about 32 meters long and 9 meters wide—about the size of a school bus! This small wooden ship had to carry Cook, his crew, and enough supplies for months of sailing. Imagine squeezing 94 people onto a ship this size, with all their equipment and food—talk about a tight fit!*
---
### What Was Life Like on the Endeavour?
Host (Sam):
Living on the Endeavour* wasn’t exactly comfortable. There were 94 people on board—sailors, scientists, and even an artist to draw the new things they discovered. The crew had to live in small, cramped quarters below deck. The captain, James Cook, had his own cabin, but the rest of the sailors slept in hammocks that swung back and forth with the motion of the ship. Imagine trying to sleep while your bed is rocking around like a wild swing set!*
The food on board wasn’t great either. Fresh food like fruit and vegetables would go bad after a few weeks, so the crew had to rely on hard biscuits (called “ship’s biscuits”), salted meat, and whatever fish they could catch. And don’t forget about the water. There wasn’t always clean water on the ship, so they had to ration it carefully. Sometimes, the water they did have would go stale and taste pretty bad after being stored in wooden barrels for so long.
---
### Stopping Points Along the Way
Host (Sam):
But the Endeavour* didn’t just sail straight to Australia. Along the way, they made some important stops. One of the first places they visited was Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, South America. They needed to stock up on fresh food and water, and Cook also took the opportunity to check the ship’s condition after weeks of rough sailing.*
From Brazil, they crossed the Atlantic Ocean and rounded the dangerous southern tip of South America, called Cape Horn. This was one of the most difficult parts of the journey because the seas were rough, with huge waves and strong winds pushing the ship around like a toy boat. But Cook and his crew managed to navigate through the storms and freezing temperatures.
Next, they made their way to Tahiti, a beautiful island in the Pacific Ocean. They arrived there in April 1769 and stayed for a few months. But why? Well, the British government had asked Cook to observe something called the "transit of Venus," where the planet Venus passed in front of the Sun. This was important for scientists to help calculate the size of the solar system. While they were in Tahiti, the crew got a break from the tough life at sea. They traded with the local Tahitians, learned about their culture, and took in the beauty of the island.
After Tahiti, the real secret mission began. Cook and his crew were now heading south in search of a legendary land called Terra Australis. Many Europeans believed that a massive, unknown land existed in the southern hemisphere, and Cook’s mission was to find it.
---
### The Challenges of Sailing Into the Unknown
Host (Sam):
Now, imagine being one of the sailors on the Endeavour*. You’ve already been at sea for months, and you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for or if you’ll even find anything. There were no GPS systems, no weather forecasts, and no phones to call home. They relied on the stars and the sun to navigate, using simple tools like sextants and compasses.*
One of the scariest things about long sea voyages in the 1700s was the fear of not knowing what lay ahead. They didn’t have accurate maps of the southern hemisphere, so they were literally sailing into the unknown. Every time they spotted land, they didn’t know if it would be friendly or dangerous. Would there be food and water? Or would there be dangerous animals or unfriendly people? It was a real-life adventure every day!
Another big challenge was the weather. The seas could be rough, with powerful storms that tossed the ship around. During these storms, the crew had to work together to control the ship, making sure the sails didn’t rip and that the ship didn’t run into rocks or reefs. Can you imagine being in the middle of a storm, with huge waves crashing over the deck and the ship tilting from side to side?
On top of that, being at sea for so long could make people very sick. Sailors often suffered from a disease called scurvy, which happens when you don’t get enough vitamin C. Without fresh fruit or vegetables, many sailors became weak and sick. Cook was smart, though—he made sure his crew ate sauerkraut (a type of fermented cabbage) to keep scurvy at bay. It wasn’t the tastiest food, but it helped keep them healthy!
---
### How Is Sailing Different Today?
Host (Sam):
Now let’s compare this to how people travel today. Have you ever been on a plane or maybe a cruise ship? Well, back in the 1700s, there were no engines or fancy technology. Ships like the Endeavour* were powered only by the wind. Sailors had to rely on the sails to catch the wind and push them forward. If there was no wind, the ship would just drift along slowly, and it could take weeks longer to get anywhere.*
Today, we have engines that can power ships and planes even when there’s no wind, and we can cross the ocean in just a few hours on a plane. But in Cook’s time, it took months to travel across the seas, and they had to face all kinds of dangers along the way.
Another big difference is communication. Today, we have the internet, phones, and radios to stay in touch with people no matter where we are. But on the Endeavour*, there was no way to send a message back home to let people know how the journey was going. Once they left England, the crew wouldn’t hear from their families or friends for years! It must have been really tough to be away from home for so long, not knowing when or if you’d return.*
---
### Facing the Unknown: Bravery and Exploration
Host (Sam):
One of the most amazing things about Cook’s journey was the courage it took to sail into the unknown. Imagine being on a small wooden ship, far from home, with no idea what you’re going to find. There could have been sea monsters (at least, that’s what some sailors believed back then!), dangerous reefs, or other challenges waiting around every corner. But Cook and his crew kept going, driven by their sense of adventure and discovery.
This bravery is what makes exploration so incredible. Even though they didn’t have the technology we have today, they used the tools they had and worked together as a team to explore parts of the world that had never been mapped by Europeans before. And remember, they didn’t know Australia existed! They could have sailed for months and found nothing but empty ocean.
Finally, after a long and difficult journey, Cook and his crew spotted the coast of Australia. What a relief that must have been! After months at sea, they had finally reached new land—land that would change the course of history.
---
### Part 4: Cook’s First Steps on Australian Land
Host (Sam):
On April 29, 1770, Captain Cook and some of his crew set foot on the land at a place we now call Botany Bay, which is near Sydney. This was the first time Europeans had landed on the east coast of Australia. They named it Botany Bay because of all the incredible plants they found there—plants that no one in Europe had ever seen before. Imagine walking through a place where everything looks new and strange. The plants, the birds, even the animals were unlike anything Cook and his crew had seen in other parts of the world.
But here’s where the story gets really important. Cook and his men weren’t the first people to step on this land. Remember, the First Nations people had been living here for tens of thousands of years. When Cook arrived, he and his crew encountered the local people. These people belonged to the Dharawal and Eora nations, and they must have been very surprised to see these strange newcomers.
There were misunderstandings right from the start. The Europeans and the First Nations people didn’t speak the same language, and they had very different ways of seeing the world. While the Europeans thought of land as something you could "claim" and "own," the First Nations people believed the land was something to be cared for and shared. They didn’t have the same idea of ownership which caused a lot of tension and conflict.
---
### Part 5: The Long Journey Along the Coast
Host (Sam):
After landing at Botany Bay, Captain Cook didn’t just stop there. His mission was to map the entire east coast of Australia, and that’s exactly what he did. He continued to sail north, carefully mapping the coastline as he went. This was really dangerous work, especially when they reached the Great Barrier Reef.
Have you ever heard of the Great Barrier Reef? We will do a full episode on it one day, as it is one of the 7 wonders of the natural world, but in short, it’s the world’s largest coral reef system, full of colorful fish, corals, and marine life. But for Cook and his crew, it was a nightmare. The Endeavour hit a coral reef, and the ship started to sink! The crew worked day and night to stop the ship from going under, and they were stuck for weeks trying to repair the damage. Luckily, they managed to save the ship, but the experience must have been terrifying.
Cook continued his journey northward, and on August 22, 1770, he reached a place called Possession Island. Here, he claimed the entire east coast of Australia for Britain, even though First Nations people had been living there for thousands of years. Cook named the land "New South Wales."
---
### Part 6: Who Were the Indigenous Australians?
Host (Sam):
Now, let’s revisit the people who were already living in Australia when Cook arrived—the First Nations people. These people had incredibly rich cultures, and they were spread across all parts of the land. There were hundreds of different nations, each with its own language, customs, and connection to the land.
The connection that Indigenous Australians had with the land was—and still is—very special. They believed that the land was created by their ancestors during the Dreamtime, a time when spirits shaped the world, making the rivers, mountains, and animals. Every part of the landscape was sacred, and the First Nations people were its caretakers.
They lived in harmony with nature, using their deep knowledge of the environment to find food, water, and shelter. They knew how to navigate the vast deserts, how to fish in the rivers, and how to use plants for medicine. They also had a system of laws and rules to keep their societies peaceful and balanced. This way of life had been passed down for thousands of years, from generation to generation.
But when Cook and the Europeans arrived, all of this began to change. The arrival of new people from Europe brought challenges that First Nations people had never faced before. It wasn’t just about land—but it was also about their entire way of life being upheaved.
---
### Part 7: The Impact of European Arrival
Host (Sam):
The arrival of Europeans had a huge impact on the First Nations people, and it’s really important for us to understand that part of the story. When Cook claimed the east coast of Australia for Britain, it marked the beginning of a long and difficult period for the First Nations people.
As more and more Europeans arrived, they began to settle on the land that Indigenous Australians had been living on for thousands of years. The settlers brought new animals, like sheep and cattle, that changed the landscape. They also introduced new diseases that the First Nations people had never been exposed to before, and these diseases spread quickly, causing many people to become very sick.
Beyond this, the First Nations people were pushed off their traditional lands, and the European settlers didn’t understand the deep connection that the First Nations people had with the land. This caused a lot of conflict and sadness.
---
### Part 8: Interesting Facts About Captain Cook and Australia
Host (Sam):
Alright, let’s lighten things up with some interesting facts about Captain Cook and Australia!
1. Did you know that James Cook wasn’t the first European to see Australia? Dutch explorers had sailed along the western coast of Australia in the early 1600s. But it was Cook who mapped the entire eastern coastline for the first time!
2. The Great Barrier Reef that Cook sailed through is the largest coral reef system in the world. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it’s full of amazing marine life! If you’ve ever seen pictures of bright coral and colorful fish, it’s probably the Great Barrier Reef.
3. Cook’s ship, the Endeavour, had some really tough times during its journey. After it hit the coral reef, the crew had to throw heavy items overboard to lighten the ship and stop it from sinking! They eventually fixed the ship and continued their journey.
4. Cook’s journeys didn’t just stop at Australia. He also explored New Zealand, Hawaii, and other parts of the Pacific Ocean. In fact, Cook made three major voyages before he tragically died in Hawaii during a confrontation with the locals.
5. In Australia today, you can visit monuments and museums that tell the story of James Cook’s arrival, and you can also visit places where First Nations history is celebrated, such as the beautiful Uluru or Kakadu National Park.
---
### Part 9: Reflecting on Australia’s History
Host (Sam):
So, what can we learn from all of this? Well, history is full of incredible adventures, like the one James Cook went on when he discovered Australia for the Europeans. But it’s also a reminder of the importance of respecting the people who were here first. The First Nations people have an amazing culture, one that’s thousands of years old, and it’s really important that we remember and respect that.
Today, Australia is a place where many different cultures come together. We can learn from the past and build a future where everyone’s stories are heard and valued. So next time you’re out exploring the Australian landscape, whether you’re at the beach, in the bush, or in the outback, remember that you’re walking on land that has a deep, ancient history.
---
### Part 10: Wrapping Up the Adventure
Host (Sam):
What an adventure we’ve had today! From Captain James Cook sailing into the unknown, to the incredible history of First Nations people, and the massive impact that European discovery had on this land—we’ve learned a lot today!
Thanks for joining me on this very important episode of "Stuff For Kids." Remember, there are always more stories to discover, and more history to explore, especially right here in Australia. Until next time, keep asking questions, keep exploring, and most of all—stay curious!
[Outro music: Cheerful tune fades out]
---
### End of Episode