The first European visitors to Tasmania came in search of new trading and commercial opportunities.  They made important observations on the Tasmanian landscape, its unique flora and fauna, as well as the native inhabitants. Initially, they found little reason to induce them to stay.
1642 - Nov 24 Abel Jantsz Tasman of the Dutch East India Company, in command of the Heemskerck and Zeebaen, becomes the first European to sight the Tasmanian mainland.  He names it "Van Diemen's Land" in honour of Antony van Diemen, Governor General of the East India Co.
1772 - March 3 French explorer, Captain Nicholas Marion Du Fresne of the Mascarin and Marquis de Castries, sights Van Diemen's Land. The following day a party goes ashore, one aborigine is shot and killed, others wounded.
1773 - March 9 Captain Tobias Furneaux in the Adventure sights Van Diemen's Land. Furneaux had become separated from Captain James Cook's Resolution during a British expedition of the Southern Ocean.
1777 Jan 24 Captain James Cook anchors the Resolution in Adventure Bay on his third southern expedition.
1788 - Jan 26 the first official European settlement in Australia begins at Botany Bay, New South Wales.  August 20, Captain William Bligh of the Bounty anchors in Adventure Bay enroute from Britain to Tahiti.
1789 - July 3 Englishman Captain John Henry Cox is off South West Cape in the Mercury.  He later notices seals in Oyster Bay.
1792 - Feb 8 Captain William Bligh of the Providence and Assistant sights Van Diemen's Land, and the following day anchors in Adventure Bay.  He names Table Mountain (now Mt. Wellington).  April 21 Bruni D'Entrecasteaux (Recherche) with Captain Huon de Kermadec (Esperance) sights Van Diemen's Land during their search for La Perouse's expedition.  A survey is made of D'Entrecasteaux Channel.
1793 - Jan 21 D'Entrecasteaux (accompanied by naturalist Jacques-Julien Houton de Labillardiere) returns to Van Diemen's land and charts the River Derwent (which he calls Riviere du Nord)  April John Hayes, of the British East India Co, in
command of the Duke of Clarence and Duchess, enters and names the River Derwent, unaware of D'Entrecasteaux's previous visits.
1797 - Feb the Merchant vessel, Sydney Cove, wrecked in the Furneaux Group, Bass Strait.
1798 - Sealing operations by Charles Bishop (Nautilus) commence at Kent Bay, Cape Barren Island. Oct 7 George Bass and Matthew Flinders begin a circumnavigation of Van Diemen's Land in the sloop, Norfolk, proving that it is an island.