Digital resources tagged with ‘exploration’

A Passionate Collector

Through his passion for collecting, New Zealander Rex Nan Kivell invented a new aristocratic identity.

A Telegraph Line across the Continent

The story of the struggle to cross a vast continent and build the telegraph line that would bring Australia to the world and the world to Australia.

Augustus Earle and his Dog, Jemmy

Misadventure turned to good fortune when young English artist Augustus Earle was rescued after being marooned on a remote island and accidentally became the colony’s first trained artist.

Captain Cook - Cook Claims New South Wales

After spending some time observing an Aboriginal tribe, Cook claims the entire east coast of New Holland for Britain.

Captain Cook - Cook's Chronometer

On James Cook’s second voyage of discovery he takes part in a grand scientific experiment to test a chronometer that the Admiralty hopes will allow navigators to measure lines of longitude.

Captain Cook - In Search of the North West Passage

Cook’s obsession with discovery continues as he searches for the mythic North West Passage, but is it a journey too far? Now retired and promoted to Post Captain, James Cook is bored. He jumps at the chance to take on a third great voyage: to find a fast route to China to secure Britain’s place in the lucrative tea trade.

Captain Cook - James Cook Joins the Navy

Influential patrons help the bright boy James Cook to an apprenticeship in the merchant navy that would make him a ships’ master. But with an eye for the main chance Cook switches to the Royal Navy.

Captain Cook - The Death of Cook

James Cook’s temperament has become unstable during the long and unsuccessful hunt for the North West passage. He picks a fight with the Hawaiians after a series of thefts by them from the ships and dies on the beach after a fierce battle.

Captain Cook - The Polynesian Tupaia Joins the Endeavour Voyage

Cook takes on board an additional passenger, Polynesian priest and fellow navigator Tupaia. Tupaia shares his remarkable navigational skills, convinced that the notion of a great land mass is a European fantasy.

Captain Cook in Hawaii

The story of Captain James Cook’s ill-fated final voyage to the Pacific is one of tragic cultural misunderstanding.

Captain Cook’s Tragic Death

Captain James Cook’s untimely return to Hawaii ended with his violent death, the details of which are portrayed in numerous conflicting illustrations.

Charles Darwin thinks about geology in Australia

Professor Iain McCalman returns to a spot where Darwin observed the geological formation of the Blue Mountains, and speculated on what it told us about the origins of life.

Designing the Charles Darwin- voyages and ideas that shook the world exhibition

Museums have designers to create the physical atmosphere of exhibitions. Here a designer comments on how the model of the Beagle and the reproduction of Darwin’s cabin as part of the Australian National Maritime Museum’s special exhibition Charles Darwin — voyages and ideas that shook the world help us empathise with his experience.

First Fleet Sketches

First Fleet captain John Hunter’s sketchbook showing life in Botany Bay was copied from the work of his talented young midshipman, George Raper.

Mawson's Expedition to the Antarctic

In 1912, Mawson's expedition arrived in the Antarctic. Little did they realise it was the windiest place on the globe.

Mawson's Other Purpose

This clip explains the breadth and scope of Mawson’s expedition. It also explains the reasoning behind such an ambitious plan.

Mawson's Quest

This clip explains the outline of Mawson’s quest and Jarvis’ emulation of it.

Stuart Crosses the Continent

There was enormous public and media speculation about whether the Victorian backed Burke and Wills or South Australia's Stuart expedition would be the first to cross the continent's interior.

Todd completes Telegraph

In 1870 Charles Todd, using explorer John McDouall Stuart's maps, organised and lead three teams to lay the overland telegraph wire.

Todd's Telegraph Dream

Charles Todd dreamt of constructing a telegraph line through the heart of the continent.