Question: What Indonesian spices grow well on the north coast of Australia?

[Harald Sigurdson II]

Inspired by my latest bout of reading through LORAG, I find it surprising that (ignoring the Makassans, who Jared said are unlikely to have visited before the Dutch) northern Australia wasn't discovered and settled by land-and-wealth hungry Indonesian merchants looking for an alternative route to the Spice Islands.

Now, they wouldn't stay if they couldn't grow prized plants, which is where you come in.

Also, this forms a bigger Hindu, and furthermore Eastern (see here and the TL in my sig) wank idea in my mind, in particular here a Hindu (such an umbrella term) majority Indonesia. Besides that, could this have effects as far east as Manu'a in Samoa, not mentioning New Guinea?

 

['Ezana]

Inspired by my latest bout of reading through LORAG, I find it surprising that (ignoring the Makassans, who Jared said are unlikely to have visited before the Dutch) northern Australia wasn't discovered and settled by land-and-wealth hungry Indonesian merchants looking for an alternative route to the Spice Islands.

This is a bit confusing. Why would Indonesians be looking for a route to the Spice Islands when they (the Moluccas) are in Indonesia?

 

[TheBrunswickian]

So, as an Australian, I can tell you that most of Northern Australia is desert. Its mining country out there. Unless you in Northern Queensland, then its mostly tropical rainforests, very similar to those found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. SO, spices could possibly be grown there, but I don't think it is quite the same humidity.

 

[Harald Sigurdson II]

This is a bit confusing. Why would Indonesians be looking for a route to the Spice Islands when they (the Moluccas) are in Indonesia?

The two sea routes were usually quite taxed by whoever controlled them, not to mention the pirates lurking everywhere, and over-island routes were mountainous, filled with hostile tribes and thick with forests. I think the only route used was overland through Asia to the Pacific, then south boat: adds alot of time and middlemen.

 

[Atomicwalrus]

So, as an Australian, I can tell you that most of Northern Australia is desert. Its mining country out there. Unless you in Northern Queensland, then its mostly tropical rainforests, very similar to those found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. SO, spices could possibly be grown there, but I don't think it is quite the same humidity.

As someone living in Northern Australia its not all desert. It is on the West coast but from NT east it's not. North Queensland isn't all tropical rainforest. The predominantly tourist areas around Cairns are, further North and west it dry's out considerably.

 

[TheBrunswickian]

As someone living in Northern Australia its not all desert. It is on the West coast but from NT east it's not. North Queensland isn't all tropical rainforest. The predominantly tourist areas around Cairns are, further North and west it dry's out considerably.

Yeah, but the Northern Territory is too arid to grow the spices that appeared in Indonesia, so its easy to right that one off. North Queensland is mostly tropical along the East Coast, mostly, but yeah along the Gulf of Carpentaria it is quite arid, like in the NT.

 

[Jared]

The short answer is "not very many".

The parts of northern Australia which are closest to the spice-growing regions of Indonesia - that is, Arnhem Land and the Kimberley - are unsuitable. The dry season there is quite pronounced and lasts for the majority of the year, something that the spice plants would have a great deal of difficulty with. The soils are - by Indonesian standards - also extremely unsuitable, being both too rich in iron and other heavy metals, and too poor in some other essential nutrients (especially phosphorus). It might be possible to grow some of the spices with modern irrigation and fertilisers, but not at a pre-nineteenth century tech level.

The eastern side of Cape York is better in terms of climate, but in sailing terms is rather a long way away, and the soils are still a problem. Perhaps some of the more generally tolerant spices (e.g. pepper), but probably not the more finicky ones (e.g. cloves and nutmeg/mace).