Javanese contact with Australia

[8] Ludovico di Varthema (1470–1517), in his book Itinerario de Ludouico de Varthema Bolognese, stated that the Southern Javanese people sailed to "far Southern lands" up to the point they arrived at an island where a day only lasted four hours long and was "colder than in any part of the world".

Modern studies have determined that such an island would have been located at least 900 nautical miles (1,666 km)[note 1] south of the southernmost point of Tasmania.

In his book he relates about the voyage of Chiaymasiouro (or Chiay Masiuro), king of Damuth (Demak) in Java, to a Southern land called Luca Antara (or Lucaantara).

[13] In Report of Meridional India (1610) Eredia mentioned that in ancient times merchants carried on extensive intercourse and trade from Luca Antara with Java.

In that year, a boat from Lucaantara carried out of its course by a storm and landed in the port of Balambuam (Blambangan) in Java, where the occupants were well-received.

[14] The account of Chiaymasiouro is as follows:Having equipped myself for travel and supplied myself with necessary requirements, I embarked with some companions in a kelulus or vessel provided with oars, and set out from the port of Blambangan towards the south.

I saw a considerable amount of gold, cloves, mace, white sandalwood, and other spices, as well as large quantities of foodstuffs of every kind which are produced in this country.

When it was time to start on our voyage, I requested the syahbandar to inform the King that the monsoon was now favourable for my return to my own country.

Provided with a stock of necessaries, I set out from Lucaantara, and after a few days’ voyage arrived at the port of Blambangan, to the great astonishment of the whole of Java.

— Letter of Chiaymasiouro, the king of Damuth, to the king of Pahang[2] Soon after his arrival in 1601, he met an Alderman of Malacca, Pedro de Carvalhaes, who attested his arrival and his voyage:I, Pedro de Carvalhaes, citizen and alderman of Malaca, certify that I met Chiaymasiouro, King of Damuth, at Surabaya, where in the course of conversation he related how “a rowing-boat from Lucaantara, driven out of its course by currents and ill winds or storms, reached the port of Blambangan": Actuated by curiosity, I gave orders for a calelus or boat provided with oars to be equipped with an adequate supply of all necessaries, and I set out with some companions from the port of Blambangan towards the south: After a voyage of 12 days, I reached the port of Lucaantara, where I was well received and entertained by the inhabitants, who are Javanese like those of Java Major (the true Java), similar in build and colour, and for the most part having similar interests, though their language is different.

I saw a considerable amount of gold, cloves, mace, white sandal-wood, and other spices, as well as large quantities of foodstuffs of every kind which are produced in this country.

Since I have been asked for this information by the Descobridor Manuel Godinho de Eredia, in the interests of his voyage and for the advantage of the King’s service, I swear by the Holy Gospels that this is the truth, and that it is my signature which appears below.

The servant remained there 3 days and confirmed the truth of Chiay Masiuro's account regarding the quantity of gold, and all kinds of metals and minerals, and precious stones, cloves, nutmegs, mace, and sandalwoods, and other riches.