Sydney's foundation began in 1788 with the arrival of 11 ships and 1,483 souls from mother England of which 732 of these were convicts.  Until this time convicts had been sent to the American colonies and sold as slaves to plantain owners in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.  The War of Independence effectively closed this outlet and, with the overcrowded gaols, an other outlet was sought.

Botany Bay was chosen due to the fact that Lieutenant James Cook had proclaimed the eastern half of what was to become Australia as British land in 1770 and named it New South Wales.  Other nations had visited our shoreline including the Dutch, Macassan fisherman and some academics even believe the Portuguese and Chinese.

The first inhabitants were, however, the indigenous people, although debate still continues as to whether it was one group or three waves of different races who came across the ice age land bridge from Asia.  Archaeological sites have revealed Aboriginal occupation in the Sydney region from at least 10,000 years, but other sites around Australia date back to over 40,000 years.  Some scholars have stated occupation took place from between 60 and 175,000 years ago.

Aboriginal people refer to their origin as "the Dreaming" when their ancestor spirits gave form to the landscape long before human reckoning.

The 11 ships comprising what is now called the "First Fleet" arrived in Botany Bay after a nine-month voyage and the commander, Captain Arthur Phillip, was dismayed at what he found.  A settlement here would have spelt disaster as the soil was too sandy for crops and the fresh water was drainage from swamps.

Phillip set out to find another location.  Three longboats made their way north from Botany Bay and turned into Port Jackson.  James Cook had named this entrance as he sailed past in 1770 and stated in his journal, "wherein there appeared to be safe Anchourage."

Phillip's worries were alleviated.  Here he had "the satisfaction of finding the finest harbour in the world, in which a thousand sail of the line may ride in the most perfect security..."  Phillip chose Sydney Cove (named after Lord Sydney and now called Circular Quay) as the settlement site and by 26th of January 1788 the First Fleet were at anchor here.  During the next few days the male convicts cleared the land and erected shelters.

Female convicts were disembarked on the 6th February and on the following day the commission was read proclaiming Arthur Phillip as Governor of New South Wales.  From these humble beginnings Sydney grew as a major commercial and maritime seaport.  Shelters were removed for huts,  which were in turn demolished for buildings.  Although convicts were transported here up until 1840, The first free settlers arrived in 1793, bringing with them hope and determination to establish a better way of life.

The last 200 years have seen some incredible changes and dramatic influences ... but all have shaped this city into the Ultimately Sydney you see today.