Australia's first group of European migrants arrived in January 1788. They came on a fleet consisting of two warships, three supply ships and six ships which carried the main group, almost 800 convicts. Governor Arthur Phillip was in command. When the fleet reached the planned destination of Botany Bay, Governor Phillip was disappointed to find that it was not suitable for settlement. So the fleet continued a few kilometers up the coast to an inlet Cook had named Port Jackson. Here Phillip found what he described as 'the finest harbour in the world'. On its shore, at a place he named Sydney Cove, Phillip established the first European settlement in Australia.
(Source: http://web1.cnre.vt.edu/)
(Source: http://web1.cnre.vt.edu/)
SuccessAs settlers spread out from Sydney Cove they found better land for farming. They moved along the Parramatta River and formed a settlement called Rose Hill. Crops and vegetables were grown successfully here. However, because they didn’t have good transport, it was difficult to take the harvested crops back to Sydney.
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StrugglesThe Fleet reached Botany Bay on the East coast of Australian between 18th and 20th January 1788 and settled first at Botany Bay. This area seemed to be unsuitable for establishing a new settlement in comparison to the environment that the newcomers came from. It lacked fresh water, was open to the sea making it unsafe for the ships and the soil seemed poor for growing crops. The newcomers sailed north a few miles to Port Jackson on 26 January 1788.
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OpportunitiesWith a large number of new resources available, it wasn't long till colonists took advantage.
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ThreatsComing to a new land will always bring threats, especially one that is on the other side of the world.
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