The name 'Sahula' is derived from the Sahul plate, which is the tectonic plate that lies beneath the Australian mainland, Tasmania, and New Guinea.

Before the last Ice Age ended about 11,000 years ago, it was possible to walk from New Guinea to Tasmania. The melting of the ice caused the sea level to rise, flooding the areas now covered by the Torres Strait and the Bass Strait.

The island that existed before that time is known as Sahulland.