"History of Australia and New Zealand from 1606 to 1890" by Alexander Sutherland and George Sutherland is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book explores the early discoveries and colonization of Australia and New Zealand, detailing the various explorers and their significant contributions to the understanding and mapping of these regions. At the start of this comprehensive history, the authors dive into the era when much of the world was unexplored, highlighting the desires and motivations of early seafarers who yearned to discover new lands. They introduce key figures such as De Quiros, who was eager to find the mythical southern continent, and recount their dangerous voyages across uncharted waters. The opening chapters focus on these initial explorations and the confrontations faced with Indigenous peoples, setting a tone that suggests a blend of adventure and the complex history of discovery and colonization that will unfold throughout the text. (This is an automatically generated summary.)