Resource: Northern Australia and Indonesia – Macassan Traders in Australia

Description

The history of contact between Indonesia and Australia is as old as human settlement in Australia and goes back at least 60,000 years. Within the historic period there was extensive contact between Macassan traders collecting sea cucumber, or trepang, and Aboriginal groups in Northern Australia.

This resource examines the evidence for contacts between Indonesia and Australia through time, with a particular focus on the Macassan trade. The archaeological and cultural evidence of contact is examined, as well as the historical context.

This resource aligns with Year 4, 5 and 6 Australian Curriculum History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship and HASS.