That is a very interesting idea. OTL the Dutch did not care for the desert, if they have the idea some profit could be made, they might pay attention to it. I wonder if the VOC could or would keep it a secret. You might see a small Dutch colony in Australia of prospectors, growing into a larger colony, growing into a (partialy) Dutch Australia.Apparently the Aboriginies had no world for gold, they didn`t use it. But what if they did? Nothing fancy of course, maybe crude ornamental jewelry. But enough for the Dutch etc to notice way back in the early 1600s.
cf. Jared's excellent Lands of Red and GoldTo my understanding of Aboriginal culture it would not have allowed them to mine gold (or gems etc.) so the would only harvest the free gold found in rivers etc.
Not sure that there would be enough gold (certainly not smelted) to excite even the most mercenry European.
Heh. That is unfortunately WAY too true.Can you say 'reservations?'
Whenever there's gold involved the natives get pushed out of the way... hard.