Plate tectonics is a fairly recent 20th century theory; I believe Australia's classification as a continent predates it. I think it might be considered a conti

Plate tectonics is a fairly recent 20th century theory; I believe Australia's classification as a continent predates it. I think it might be considered a continent because people were looking for a continent. Since Roman times, there was reputed to be a continent at the South Pole called Terra Australis. Captain Cook was looking for Terra Australis, but found Australia instead. They new they weren't at the South Pole, but they decided to call the place Australia anyway (Antarctica would not be seen until several decades later.) I suspect the continent classification was cast as soon as they started calling the place Australia.