In May 1768, the Admiralty appointed the seasoned Captain James Cook, then 39, to lead a groundbreaking scientific expedition to the Pacific Ocean. The mission aimed to observe the rare 1769 transit of Venus across the Sun. Setting sail aboard the HMS Endeavour in August 1768, Cook navigated around Cape Horn and reached Tahiti, where he successfully made the vital observations. But that was just the beginning. Upon opening sealed orders, Cook embarked on the second phase of his journey a quest for the elusive southern continent of Terra Australis. His remarkable journey included the circumnavigation of New Zealands two main islands, bringing this captivating volume to a close. Join David Cole as he recounts this pivotal moment in maritime exploration.