Additional information about Australia became available when the European ships first touched the land of Australia. There have been written accounts of the Great Barrier Reefs by those whoever saw it. It is now an accepted fact that the Portuguese first sighted Australia in 1522 which was fronted by Cristovao de Mendonca. But the earliest documentary evidences are by the French settlers who lead their ships La Boudeuse and L'Etoile on 6th June 1768. But the exciting part in the discovery of Great Barrier Reef was when James Cook and his team sailed the whole length of the reef from May to Aug 1770. When the ship struck Endeavour Reef, north of Cape Tribulation, and they were forced to repair their ship for six weeks that they were able to observe the Great Barrier Reef. But Cook and his team were not able to explore the reef and scientists were only able to know that the reef was of great length and size. After repairing the ship, Cook tried to make way in the sea through the Lizard Island. When he and his botanist Joseph Banks climbed the highest point of island, they were able to see the passage in the reef, through which there ship made way. This is known as the ‘Cook’s passage’.