The History of Australian Exploration from 1788 to 1888

"The History of Australian Exploration from 1788 to 1888" by Ernest Favenc is a late 19th-century historical work that painstakingly records a century of Australian exploration, recounting numerous expeditions that unveiled and charted the continent. Favenc highlights government-backed public journeys alongside the unsung efforts of private individuals, illustrating their vital roles in Australian history. The book starts with a dedication to Sir Henry Parkes and a preface explaining the challenges of compiling a complete historical account of Australian exploration. The opening section discusses early navigators and explorers, sorting fact from fiction in the story of Australia's discovery, covering dreams of an inland sea and encounters with native people. It details the work of figures like Captain Phillip and Captain Tench around Sydney, with focus on the Hawkesbury and Nepean Rivers and attempts to cross the Blue Mountains, and follow-up expeditions describe land characteristics and indigenous people, setting the stage for understanding Australia's interior, painting a picture of both the known and unknown Australia.