Duyfken Replica ship to berth in Ballina
A piece of maritime history will be on show in Ballina from April 17 to 23 when the Duyfken 1606 Replica docks at the Fawcett Park wharf.
The ship is a replica of the Dutch ship Duyfken, which in 1606 sailed from the Indonesian island of Banda in search of gold and trade opportunities in Nova Guinea.
Ballina Shire Council community economic development officer Jane Laverty said: “Under the command of Willem Janszoon, Duyfken and her crew ventured south-east.
“They sailed beyond Os Papuas (Papua New Guinea) and explored and charted part of the coast of Nova Guinea.
“They did not find gold — but they did find the northern coast of a huge continent: Australia.
“Captain Janszoon was the first European in history to map and record Australia, so Duyfken’s voyage marks the beginning of Australia’s recorded history.”
The replica ship’s visit to Ballina is part of a voyage to promote the first documented European contact with Australia.
Ballina Shire Mayor Phillip Silver says that living on the coast as we do, it is important to appreciate the importance of our coastal and maritime history.
“It is a museum vessel, so those who visit the ship will obtain a deeper appreciation of history in the raw, and the courage and skills of 17th century seafaring explorers.”
The visit is being supported by Ballina Shire Council and the Ramada Riverside Ballina, and access to the ship is by a gold coin donation.
