Who was the first European to lead an expedition to Australia?

The first European to lead an expedition to Australia was indeed William Dampier. His journey in 1688 marked the first recorded visit by a European explorer to Australia. Dampier was a buccaneer and naturalist, and during his expedition, he mapped parts of the Australian coast, collected specimens, and made significant observations about the land and its inhabitants.

James Cook later followed in the 18th century, famously claiming the eastern coast for Britain in 1770 after his exploration. However, Dampier's earlier visit positioned him as the significant figure in the timeline of European exploration in Australia.

Thus, the recognition of William Dampier as the first European to lead an expedition to Australia is based on historical documentation and his contributions to the understanding of the region during that early time of exploration.