Explorers

Engraved portrait of James Cook in an 18th-century naval uniform, featuring a high-collared coat with buttons and light-coloured waistcoat. The illustration includes a small scene below showing a group of people interacting near the shore.

J. Chapman sculpsit, Captain Cook [picture], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-240952710

Module

Explore the historical impact and legacy of James Cook's voyages in this learning module.

Digital Classroom

A silver polished kettle with ornate cutouts and inscription and printed crest. It has a tealight underneath.

Charlotte & Edward Barnard, Rebecca Emes, Silver kettle and spirit lamp given by Queen Charlotte to Sir Joseph Banks, 1813, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-138405433

Joseph Banks Collection

Sir Joseph Banks was a pioneering botanist and explorer whose travels with Captain Cook helped shape our understanding of the natural world and influenced scientific exploration in Australia.

Collection guide

Map of Antarctica showing territories and dependencies.

Australia. Department of the Interior. Property and Survey Branch. & E. P. Bayliss, J. S. & Cumpston, Antarctica, 1939, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-236895938

Australian explorations in the Antarctic

Diaries, papers, photographs, maps and other material related to Australia's involvement in the Antarctic

Collection guide

A calm river snakes into the distance, with green grass on one side and trees on the other

George French Angas (artist) and James William Giles (lithographer), The River Murray, near Lake Alexandrina, 1847, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135637342

Angas Collection

Paintings, drawings, sketchbooks and manuscripts by George French Angas.

Collection guide

First contacts

Module

Explore the themes of discovery, cultural encounters, and the European settlement of Australia.

Digital Classroom

First Australians

Two people at the bottom of Mount Townsend with flowers on the ground and rocks up the mountain

Frank Hurley, Mt Townshend with flowers in foreground [Kosciuszko, New South Wales], 1910, nla.obj-159969111

Researching 'Townsend of the Ranges'

Hear from Peter Crowley about his research for his debut book about surveyor Thomas Scott Townsend.

Blog

A large book open at a midway point. The paper is yellowed and stained. The writing is written in highly decorative cursive. The book is being held open on a stand which sits atop a richly varnished cabinet with draws and a fold out desk surface.

Cook, James, 1728-1779 & Hutchinson, John & Wallis, Samuel, 1728-1795 & Bolckow, Henry William Ferdinand, 1806-1878. (1768). Journal of H.M.S. Endeeavour, 1768-1771 [manuscript], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-228958440

Captain Cook's Endeavour Journal

While Captain Cook's journal from the H.M.S. Endeavour is often on display in the Library's Treasures Gallery, it is currently not on display to allow rest and treatment for the long term preservation of the item.

Research guide

The first Russian Antarctic expedition in 1819-21

The Library has recently acquired a journal recording the first Russian Antarctic expedition in 1819-21.

News article

Dirk Hartog 1616–2016: 400 years of Dutch-Australian connections

Module

This resource is aligned to the Australian Curriculum: History for Year 10 students.

Digital Classroom

black and white photograph of japanese world war two plane

(1940). Mitsubishi A6M Zero-Sen, a Japanese single seat monoplane fighter, ca. 1940 [picture]. nla.gov.au/nla.obj-144931273

Dutch–Australian connections in World War II

Topic

As World War II broke out across Europe in 1939, the Dutch had initially remained neutral. When Germany occupied the Netherlands in 1940, the Dutch lost the ability to defend their colonies in the Netherlands East Indies.

Digital Classroom

The world famous pop group the Easybeats visited the CBN 8 CWN Channel 6 studios in 1970 for a tape session to be included in a local programme

Stephen Fleay, The Easybeats rehearsing at the CBN 8 and CWN 6 television studios, Orange, New South Wales, 1970, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-151176759

Dutch experiences in Australia

Topic

After World War II, the people of the Netherlands found themselves with a long journey ahead of them, resurrecting a war-ravaged country that was struggling to overcome recent famine and mass casualties in the Holocaust.

Digital Classroom

Dirk Hartog 1616–2016: 400 years of Dutch-Australian connections

Module

This resource is aligned to the Australian Curriculum: Humanities and Social Sciences for Year 4 students.

Digital Classroom

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