INDEX

• Introduction
• Maps
• Significant Places in Australia's Maritime History
• Naming Australia
• Naming Australia's Coastal Features

WHO DID DISCOVER AUSTRALIA?

• The Phoenecians & Egyptians
• The Greeks & Romans
• The Chinese
• The Muslims
• The Portuguese
• The Dutch
• The British
• The French

COLONIAL EXPLORATION

• Index
• The French
• The British
• Other
• Inland explorers

Colonial Exploration: 1793 - John Hayes

Commander John Hayes (later Sir John) of the East India Company was the first British explorer to 'discover' and chart the River Derwent. He named the river in 1793 after the River Derwent of his birthplace Cumberland, England. Note The correct name of the river is the 'River Derwent' and not as frequently quoted the Derwent River.

The town, Hayes, a small rural district on the Lyell Highway 5 Km west of New Norfolk, it is situated on the banks of the Derwent River, is named after Hayes. Among the farms in the district is the State Prison Farm. The river is not easily navigable above the township of Hayes and the township was located near the spot where it was thought that Commander Hayes concluded his survey of the river.